The UK government on Monday has announced a relaxation of the recruitment allowing applicants from Commonwealth nations, including those not living in the UK, to apply for jobs in Her Majesty's Armed Forces to combat a shortage in its ranks. A National Audit Office report revealed a shortage of around 8200 soldiers, sailors and air personnel. To meet the shortage women are now allowed to apply for all roles in British military for the first time.
The Commonwealth is an association of 53 countries, including India. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) hoping to recruit 1350 extra personnel from foreign countries every year, to Army, Navy and Air Force. It comes after they have been struggling to recruit soldiers in their forces. The Royal Navy and RAF will start the recruitment procedures immediately. The Army applications will open from early 2019.
People from outside Commonwealth will require British citizenship to be accepted except the Gurkhas and from republic of Ireland.
A limited waiver to the recruitment was introduced in May 2016 to recruit upto 200 Commonwealth people per year to fill in the skill shortage posts, which has now been widened.
In a statement the Ministry of Defence said, “Citizens from the Commonwealkth have a long tradition of serving with distinction in the Armed Forces.”
Britain currently employs 4500 Commonwealth citizens in the Armed forces with 3940 in the Army, 480 in Royal Navy and 80 in the RAF.
