READY FOR BATTLE

Female soldiers will man our tanks for first time in 2017 and could make up quarter of next year’s Army intake

The Army aims to double female numbers by 2020

James Mills

Published: 3:42, 23 Oct 2016
Updated: 3:43, 23 Oct 2016

WOMEN soldiers will join Army tank crews for the first time in 2017, chiefs revealed yesterday.

About 70 female recruits want places on a tank training course in January and could make up a quarter of the intake.

Back the women . . . female soldiers to man tanks for the first time — Back the women . . . female soldiers to man tanks for the first timeCredit: Reuters

It follows July’s decision to lift a ban on women in close combat roles.

This could see them join in hand-to-hand fighting.

The Royal Tank Regiment, the King’s Royal Hussars and the Queen’s Royal Hussars are the first to remove the ban.

The rest of the Armed Forces will follow in 2018.

Ready for combat . . . women troops could make up a quarter of the intake next year — Ready for combat . . . women troops could make up a quarter of the intake next yearCredit: Rex Features

The Royal Tank Regiment has held several open days for women to see what would be involved.

Women can already be fighter pilots and submariners, and the Army aims to double female numbers to 15 per cent by 2020.

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Fair playing field . . . tank rule follows move to allow female troops to take on combat roles — Fair playing field . . . tank rule follows move to allow female troops to take on combat rolesCredit: Rex Features

Lt Col Simon Ridgway, of the Royal Tank Regiment, said: “We see this as a huge opportunity.”

All new recruits must pass a 14-week basic training course before starting tank training.

Critics have said women on the front line could damage the “cohesion” of units in battle.

But the ban was lifted after an 18-month review.