The Changing Face Of The British Army

Photo: Tobias Schwarz / Reuters

One In Ten Members Of Armed Forces Was Born Abroad -- The Telegraph

The number of soldiers in the British Army from Commonwealth countries has tripled in recent years.

Troops born overseas now account for a record 12 per cent of the total 101,290 strength, new figures show.

Recruits from some African nations could form battalions all by themselves.

However there are fears that the increasing reliance on foreign-born soldiers, as Britons become harder to retain, could leave the Forces vulnerable if their home countries try to stop them serving in contentious wars such as Iraq or Afghanistan.

The former head of the Army, General Sir Mike Jackson, said: “It would be in my mind a nonsense not to have some sort of ceiling.

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My Comment: I guess these soldiers from Commonwealth nations are doing the service that many Britains no longer have a desire to do.