First conceived during the Second World War, the Home Guard was a citizens militia that was created to protect Britain in the event of an invasion from Nazi Germany.
Made up of over an estimated 1.5 million volunteers, mostly those that were either too young or too old to serve in the Armed Forces, their service was, luckily, never needed.
However, fast-forward nearly 80 years to the present day, and the government is pondering whether or not this civilian force needs to make a return…
The proposition, which forms part of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR), will remind many of the popular TV series “Dad’s Army”, which ran from 1968 until 1977 and solidified itself as one of the county’s most beloved sitcoms.
But the same question remains as it did back then; Is it necessary? How will the public receive the plan, and, what scenarios do the heads of the British Armed Forces envisage that would justify bringing such a force back into existence?
First reported by The Sunday Times, the new Home Guard would consist of several thousand volunteers that would be deployed to protect key national infrastructure sites, including nuclear plants, international airports, telecommunications hubs and more.
This comes just weeks after the fire that broke out at an electrical substation and consequently led to the shutdown of Heathrow Airport, and although ‘suspicious activity’ has now been ruled out of the investigation, it was an event that highlighted the importance of protecting such assets in the future.
Described as a “central part” of the review, this revived homeland security initiative is based on the idea that the British public must acknowledge that the country has entered a ‘pre-war phase’, with the sharp rise in tensions with nations like Iran, Russia and North Korea.
What are the Key Points in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review?
As well as the introduction of a civilan-based Home Guard, here are some of the key takeaways that are outlined in the report that are due to be announced in the coming weeks:
• Leadership Transition in Defence: Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton is currently the leading candidate to become the next Chief of the UK Defence Staff. Other contenders include General Sir James Hockenhull (head of UK Strategic Command), General Sir Roly Walker (Chief of the Army) and General Dame Sharon Nesmith (Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff).
• Expansion of the existing Armed Forces: Defence Secretary John Healey is advocating for an increase in army personnel to 76,000, revising the current target of 72,500, as part of efforts to rebuild military capacity after years of decline.
• New Submarine Fleet Proposal: The armed forces plan to procure a new fleet of 12 SSN-Aukus submarines, nuclear-powered hunter-killers designed to replace the existing seven Astute-class submarines. These will be acquired through the trilateral AUKUS Defence Partnership with the United States and Australia.
• Upcoming National Security Strategy: A new national security strategy, coordinated by National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell and foreign policy specialist John Bew, is expected to be released shortly before a critical NATO summit in June. This summit may include renewed financial demands from Donald Trump on member states.
• Defence Spending Framework: In the autumn, a defence capability command paper will be published, detailing how forthcoming defence initiatives will be implemented. This will follow the outcome of Rachel Reeves’s spending review.
Whilst final arrangements for the new Home Guard are yet to be determined, the initiative is expected to involve civilian volunteers forming community-based units across the UK.
These groups will operate independently of existing bodies like the Army Reserve, though they will share a similar organisational model. Their intended role will likely include supporting specialist teams such as the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, an armed policing unit that’s responsible for safeguarding the nation’s nuclear infrastructure.
Although senior military figures emphasise that the UK faces no immediate threat of invasion, the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has highlighted significant exposure within the nation’s critical infrastructure. In particular, it points to the growing threat posed by hostile states, with Russia repeatedly engaging in so-called “grey zone” tactics; covert and disruptive operations targeting Western infrastructure without triggering open conflict.
Several Western nations continue to operate home guard-style forces, though their roles and structures vary. In Norway, the Heimevernet concentrates on safeguarding infrastructure, but its personnel can also be deployed abroad.
Germany, meanwhile, is developing a dedicated homeland security division within its military to protect critical defence installations. Denmark and Sweden also maintain their own versions of such forces, tailored to national needs.
In the UK, while the proposed home guard would primarily focus on securing land-based assets, the Strategic Defence Review also places new emphasis on maritime security. It calls for the Royal Navy to take on an expanded role in defending undersea energy pipelines and internet cables.
The plan outlines the potential for collaboration with technology firms and other key industries that depend on this infrastructure. Such partnerships would likely involve financial support for advanced capabilities, ranging from sensors and radar systems to submersible drones designed to detect and deter hostile activity beneath British waters.
Commissioned by Defence Secretary John Healey last year, the review has been jointly led by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, a former NATO Secretary-General and Labour Defence Secretary, and retired General Sir Richard Barrons.
Both figures argue that strengthening the UK’s domestic defences has become an urgent necessity. Internally, the strategy has been dubbed “Hedgehog Britain”.
The review is expected to deliver a stark assessment: despite the escalating global threat landscape, Britain’s armed forces are currently stretched thin, lacking both the personnel and capability to respond effectively.
It will urge investment in missile defence systems to shield the nation, whilst also putting forward sweeping measures aimed at resolving chronic recruitment and retention issues across the Army, Royal Navy and RAF.
Healey’s ambition to increase the army’s official strength to 76,000 remains unresolved. Although he has been a consistent critic of the troop reductions carried out under the previous Conservative government, which saw the army reduced to its smallest size since the Napoleonic era, some senior defence officials are wary.
They argue that boosting numbers could risk diverting attention and resources away from more pressing needs, such as upgrading weapon systems and enhancing operational effectiveness through a leaner but more lethal force.
This review will be released at a pivotal moment, coinciding with significant changes at the top of the military. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the current Chief of the Defence Staff, is scheduled to step down within the next six months.
Among the frontrunners to succeed him is Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, who began his RAF career as an aircraft engineer. He is widely respected within the Ministry of Defence and seen by many as the ideal candidate to lead the next phase of defence transformation.
What will the British Public think of the new 'Dad's Army?'
The government’s proposal to establish a modern Home Guard aims to bolster national resilience through civilian participation. However, recent surveys indicate that garnering widespread public support, particularly among younger generations, may prove challenging.
A study conducted by YouGov and Public First for The Times revealed that only 11% of individuals aged 18 to 27 would be willing to fight for Britain, while 41% stated there were no circumstances under which they would take up arms for their country. Additionally, only 41% of respondents in this age group expressed pride in being British, a significant decline from 80% in 2004.
These findings suggest a growing disconnection between younger Britons and traditional notions of national service and patriotism. Factors contributing to this sentiment may include perceptions of systemic issues within the country and a general scepticism towards governmental institutions.
For the Home Guard initiative to succeed, it will be essential for policymakers to address these underlying concerns, fostering a sense of inclusion and purpose that resonates with the values and aspirations of younger citizens.
At the same time, the UK has seen a noticeable increase in expressions of national pride and identity among other segments of the population. From greater visibility of national symbols to higher levels of support for defence investment, this resurgence of patriotic sentiment highlights a complex national mood.
On one hand, there is renewed interest in protecting the country’s values and sovereignty; on the other, a clear generational divide in how national duty is perceived. This contrast will likely shape both public discourse and the practical success of any future civil defence force.
Image Credits: Philip Halling – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Adrian Jones, U.S. Department of Defense – Public Domain; Andrew Wheeler – Open Government License (OGL-3)
