The UK government has announced plans to re-establish a modern-day “Home Guard” as part of its sweeping Strategic Defence Review (SDR), a move aimed at boosting domestic security amid rising global tensions and hybrid threats.
The revived Home Guard will function as a civilian volunteer force dedicated to protecting critical national infrastructure including power stations, airports, water supplies, and telecommunications networks from sabotage, cyberattacks, and covert threats.
“This force will be rooted in communities and trained to respond to emergencies at home whether from state-sponsored actors or terrorist groups,” a senior Ministry of Defence official said.
Strategic Objectives
The initiative is one of several key proposals in the SDR, which outlines the UK’s long-term vision to strengthen homeland resilience. Officials have stated that the modern Home Guard will:
- Recruit from local communities, including reservists and retired service members
- Support police and armed forces during national emergencies or infrastructure attacks
- Be trained in basic counter-terrorism, cyber threat response, and civil contingency protocols
While reminiscent of the original World War II-era Home Guard, the updated model will focus on technological preparedness and rapid response rather than traditional combat.
Rising Threats
The decision follows multiple warnings from UK intelligence services about increased activity from hostile foreign actors targeting essential services. Officials cited Russia’s hybrid warfare, cyber threats from China, and domestic radicalization risks as reasons for the enhanced security posture.
“The world is more volatile, and Britain must be more vigilant. The new Home Guard reflects that reality,” said Defence Secretary John Healey.
Broader Defence Reform
The SDR set for full publication in June also includes plans to:
- Raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027
- Expand the British Army and modernize nuclear deterrent systems
- Invest in cyber and space defence capabilities
- Deepen NATO and EU security partnerships
The Home Guard is expected to begin recruitment by early 2026, with regional deployment strategies currently under development in coordination with the Home Office and devolved governments.
Public Opinion & Political Response
Early reaction has been mixed. While security analysts and veterans’ groups praised the proposal, some civil liberty organizations raised concerns about potential overreach or militarization of civil society.
Still, most observers agree that the initiative reflects a growing need to defend Britain’s infrastructure in an era of complex, non-traditional warfare.
