David Cameron announces end of ban on female recruits taking part in close combat
Women will now be allowed to 'serve in the full range of roles' as military finally moves to 'reflect the society we live in'
WOMEN in Britain’s military are to fight on the front line for the first time, David Cameron has announced.
The PM confirmed he had lifted the ban on them taking part in close combat.
Female recruits will in future be allowed to “serve in the full range of roles”, including with the Paras, Royal Marines and RAF Regiment, in tanks and with the cavalry.
Mr Cameron, speaking at a Nato summit in Polish capital Warsaw, said: “It is vital that our Armed Forces are world class and reflect the society we live in.
“Lifting this ban is a major step.”
General Sir Nick Carter, Head of the British Army, paid tribute to women who already serve on the front line in support roles, such as acting as medics or bomb disposal experts.
He said: “By allowing women to serve in all roles, we will truly help to maximise the talent available to the Army and make the Armed Forces a modern employer.”
Britain had remained one of the few countries in the world to still bar women from fighting on the front line.
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The US announced in December it was opening up all combat roles.
Mr Cameron’s anouncement came after each service chief backed the change following a two-year study into its impact.
The probe included a medical assessment of whether women were tough enough.
General Carter said: “Women already operate on the front line in a variety of roles and have done so with distinction in recent conflicts.”
The Royal Armoured Corps will be the first to open up all its roles to women, from November.
Mr Cameron said he was determined to see all our forces fall into line on the issue “as soon as possible.”
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “I have always wanted roles in our Armed Forces to be determined by ability, not gender.”