Soldiers could be drafted in to fill critical roles in the NHS and Border Force to minimise disruption from a wave of strikes, Nadhim Zahawi has said.
The Conservative Party chairman confirmed the military could be used to drive ambulances and staff ports as the Government braces for mass walkouts later in December.
The Cabinet Office later said around 2,000 military personnel and civil servants are being trained to support a range of services in the event of strikes going ahead.
They include up to 600 armed forces personnel and 700 staff from the Government's specialist Surge and Rapid Response Team, as well as other parts of the Civil Service.
"We're looking at the military, we're looking at a specialist response force we've actually set up a number of years ago," Mr Zahawi said.
"In the unfortunate circumstance if you do have say a strike at Border Force you've got to be able to make sure there is minimum disruption".
Pressed on Sky News's Sophy Ridge programme whether soldiers could come in to fill these roles, he replied: "Correct.
"We have to make sure our borders are always secure and that is something that we guarantee.
"Things like driving ambulances, other parts of the public sector, we've got to try and minimise disruption".
The Cabinet Office added: "Decisions are yet to be taken on deploying troops to these tasks but they are part of the range of options available should strike action in these areas go ahead as planned.
"The priority over the coming weeks is to protect the public who may need access to emergency services support and limit disruption as much as possible, particularly at a time when increased numbers of people will be travelling for the festive period and NHS services are under huge pressure due to the impact of Covid."
Mr Zahawi also said unions attempting to negotiate pay rises above the rate of inflation is "not the thing to do".
His comments come as nurses, ambulance workers and civil servants prepare for strike action this month.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is set to hold two days of industrial action on December 15 and 20 unless there is a negotiated settlement with the Government over pay.
A poll conducted for the Mirror by Redfield and Wilton found that a clear majority of the public backed the nurses, with their demand for a pay rise of 5% above inflation.
Last week it was announced thousands of ambulance workers had voted for strike action with action also expected before Christmas.
Strike dates are yet to be announced for Border Force staff - one of 124 Government departments that voted for strike action last month.
