Women may be allowed to serve in British infantry units for first time

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said roles ‘should be determined by ability and not gender’.

17:08 19 December 2014

Military sources have confirmed that there is now a “real desire” to allow women to serve in British infantry units. This will be the first time in the history of the British military.

Currently, women can serve on the front line, but not where the primary aim is to be “close with and kill the enemy”.

Kevan Jones, Labour’s shadow armed forces minister has welcomed the proposal.

An Army review said that that the move would not have an “adverse effect” on troop cohesion. However, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that more research is needed to assess the “physiological demands.”

To join an infantry unit at recruitment level, men have to complete a run of 1.5 miles in 12 minutes and 45 seconds. They then have to complete an annual fitness assessment, which involves carrying 25kg, plus a rifle and helmet, over a distance of just under eight miles in two hours.

Col Mike Dewar, a military historian who served in Cyprus, Borneo and Northern Ireland, told the BBC, said upper body strength in “99.9per cent of women” would make it “virtually impossible” to pass the tests.