LONDON: Britain is considering to allow women fight on the front line following a review of the current ban on female serving in close combat, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
A British Army review of the ban conducted for the country’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has concluded that change would not have an “adverse effect” on troop cohesion.
However, it said that more research was needed to assess the physiological demands.
UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said roles “should be determined by ability and not gender”.
He said he hoped to introduce the change “subject to some final research over the next year or so.”
Under current rules, women can serve on the front line but not where the primary aim is to “close with and kill the enemy”.
This means women are not permitted to serve in the infantry or armoured corps.
About 10 percent of the 156,630 regular British armed forces personnel are women.
Countries that currently allow women to participate in close combat roles include the United States, Canada, Denmark and New Zealand. -Bernama