Women will be allowed to fight in combat roles in the infantry and tank units from November, David Cameron has announced.

The prime minister gave the order on Friday following a recommendation from the chief of the general staff, Gen Sir Nick Carter, that the ban on women serving in ground close combat roles should be lifted.

The Ministry of Defence has conducted a review over the past two years of whether women would be able to meet the physical requirements of serving in units such as the infantry and tanks. It found that there was no evidence that women would not be able to cope.

The first women will start in frontline combat roles in the Royal Armoured Corps from November. This will extend to all areas of the armed forces by the end of 2018, including the infantry, air force, marines and some special forces.

Speaking at a Nato summit in Warsaw, Cameron said: “The chief of [the] general staff has recommended that we lift the ban on women in ground close combat, a view that has been supported by the other service chiefs.

“I agree with his advice and have accepted his recommendation. I have asked that this is implemented as soon as possible.

“It is vital that our armed forces are world class and reflect the society we live in. Lifting this ban is a major step. It will ensure the armed forces can make the most of all their talent and increase opportunities for women to serve in the full range of roles.”

The prime minister’s spokesman said the government was encouraging women to apply for such roles, but that it expected “reasonably low numbers” to apply at first.

The current physical requirement is to run eight miles in boots while carrying 25kg (55lb). This is to be changed, which may prompt accusations that standards are being lowered in order to accommodate women.

The MoD believes the new requirements will be equally tough and better reflect the reality of contemporary conflicts, following recent experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

No agreement has been reached on what the requirements will be, but infantry units normally move more slowly when on patrol because of the risk of hidden explosives, and tend to carry packs and equipment heavier than 25kg.

Women make up about 9% of the British army, at 7,000 members. Of these, it is estimated that about 4.5%, or 300, would pass the current test. A large proportion of such individuals have shown little interest in joining infantry or tank units, meaning that the numbers involved could be as low as 30.

Women are already engaged in frontline duties, including serving on submarines and as fighter pilots.

Special forces tests are different. Women are part of the special reconnaissance regiment at present, but not the SAS or SBS.

The latter two have their own tests; however, there is no reason in theory why a woman could not join if she were to pass them.

The government’s decision was taken after research looking into three areas of risk – muscular injury, psychological health and impaired reproductive health – that will now be published.



Women will be phased into combat roles over the next three years and train alongside men.