BFBS Radio Sitrep

In theory 95,000 veterans could be liable for recall if the UK was at war, or headed that way, but for decades it’s been little more than a notional force, lying dormant.

That is about to change though.  Thousands could soon get letters calling them up for an exercise next year, to help the MoD faces challenges as basic as locating people, let alone equipping and training them.

Sitrep explains why this is only a first step to generating a force which could be vital within a few years and what these reservists could be asked to do in a crisis, while veterans campaigner Jonny Ball tells us how it will go down with those asked to step up.

And as Russian bombardment of Ukraine reaches new record levels we get a first hand taste of the reality, when an airstrike interrupts our conversation with Colin Freeman.