UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace declared that the army is ready to help ease the ongoing fuel crisis.
The statements came after long queues continued in many places on Monday due to the tanker driver shortages.
The UK government says a lack of tanker drivers to deliver fuel and unprecedented demand is behind the crisis.
“Limited number of military tanker drivers to be put on a state of readiness and deployed if necessary to further stabilise fuel supply chain,” the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said in a statement issued.
Desperate motorists queued up at fuel pumps across Britain, draining tanks, fraying tempers and prompting calls for the government to use emergency powers to give priority access to healthcare and other essential workers.
The military drivers will receive specialised training before deploying if the crisis does not ease in the coming days.
“The fuel industry expects demand will return to its normal levels in the coming days. However, it’s right that we take this sensible, precautionary step,” said Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
“If required, the deployment of military personnel will provide the supply chain with additional capacity as a temporary measure. This aims to help ease pressures caused by spikes in localised demand for fuel,” he added.
