Former Armed Forces Minister Calls For UK To Provide Training Support in Ukraine Amid Wider Defence Revamp

Former Tory Armed Forces Minister James Heappey suggested Britain should consider deploying troops to assist Ukraine, albeit strictly away from direct combat zones.

Speaking to Sky News, Heappey, also the outgoing MP for Wells, underscored the necessity of not only increasing defence spending but also revitalising the strategic reserve—a cohort of ex-service personnel poised to re-enter duty in crisis scenarios.

Heappey’s advocacy for a beefed-up military budget comes at a critical juncture.

“There’s really two things that I have set myself to achieve in my remaining time as an MP, given the knowledge that I have as a long-serving minister in the [Ministry of Defence],” he said. “Firstly, to make the case for more defence spending: 2.5% [of national income] now. Three per cent by 2030. And secondly, that we reinvest and refocus in our strategic resilience as a nation and our capacity to war fight and withstand any other type of crisis that might come our way.”

Reflecting on the support for Ukraine, Heappey said Britain must increase military aid, aligning with recent suggestions by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the deployment of Western forces for non-combat roles within Ukraine.

“I think you’ve got to be careful about how you do it. Definitely nowhere near a combat zone… But I do think it is worth exploring what in the sort of deeper – in the depth of Ukraine – the donor community could do,” Heappey said.

Amidst these considerations, the UK’s strategic reserve system, a Cold War relic, is set for a modern overhaul. This system requires veterans to keep their military skills sharp through occasional training—a practice Heappey joked might necessitate him “to get on with some press-ups and some running.”