Deploying Military For Coronavirus Support Is 'Risky', Defence Expert Warns

Deploying thousands of military personnel to assist with the coronavirus pandemic is "risky" and "essentially a distraction" from their normal duties, a defence expert has warned.

Elizabeth Braw, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said the tasks the Armed Forces would be expected to carry out are "not their speciality".

It comes after the Government announced on Wednesday that it was placing an extra 10,000 military personnel on higher readiness in response to the outbreak.

They are set to form a new ‘COVID Support Force’, adding to the 10,000 personnel already on standby to respond to emergencies such as terrorist attacks.

“With something like this, it is not exactly clear how the Armed Forces can support and more importantly we have to consider that they may be needed elsewhere," Ms Braw said.

“To always assume that they will always be available to help with these kinds of duties that are not their speciality and are essentially a distraction from their speciality is risky.”

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said it was “fully engaged” with the Government to work out how the military can provide a support role over the coming weeks and months.

Ms Braw, who heads the RUSI Modern Deterrence Programme, suggested that in the future “ordinary civilians” - including teenagers - should be trained to support in times of crisis.

On Monday, 150 military personnel are set to begin training to drive oxygen tankers around the country.

The MOD said the drivers could also provide general public support.

The Defence Secretary is said to have made it clear that he wants defence to work out how it can assist the health service further.

Military personnel have been called up to assist in previous national emergencies, most recently during widespread flooding earlier this year.

During the 2012 London Olympics, some 13,500 troops were called to provide logistical support and venue security.