British Army Chief General Sir Roly Walker has warned that the United Kingdom’s political leaders will soon need to explain to the public why the country must prepare for the possibility of war and why citizens may have to accept sacrifices to strengthen national defense.

Walker made the remarks while addressing approximately 700 soldiers at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, where he stressed that the international security environment has become increasingly dangerous and that Britain can no longer afford to ignore the possibility of a major conflict.

“Every citizen will be asked to make sacrifices and to play their part in the defence of the nation,” Walker said, emphasizing that national security will require public support beyond the military itself.

He said political leaders would soon begin a “frank conversation” with the public about the risks facing Britain and the measures needed to prepare. Walker argued that citizens must understand why defense and security need to become national priorities and why the armed forces require greater backing from the public.

The general also warned that British soldiers could eventually be called upon to fight in a future conflict, placing particular responsibility on younger and less experienced troops. He told the soldiers gathered at Catterick that the country would depend on them if Britain were drawn into a war.

“There is no other environment to my mind where the burden of fighting is placed squarely on the shoulders of our most inexperienced and junior soldiers than in our land forces,” Walker said.

The warning comes amid growing concern among Western defense officials about Russia’s aggression, the war in Ukraine and broader geopolitical instability. British military leaders have increasingly called for stronger defense capabilities and greater public awareness of the risks facing the country.

Britain has also faced questions about the readiness of its armed forces and how the government will pay for expanded military capabilities. The government has committed to raising defense spending to 3.5% of national income by 2035, a goal that will require difficult budget decisions and could mean diverting money from other priorities.

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Public attitudes toward military service and defense spending could complicate those efforts. Research cited by British media has indicated that many Britons are reluctant to fight in a war, even as more than half support increasing defense spending.

Walker’s remarks signal that Britain’s military leadership wants the public to prepare for a more uncertain security environment. Whether the government can persuade citizens to accept the financial and practical costs of strengthening national defense remains a major challenge as officials weigh the country’s military needs against competing domestic priorities.