British Army will allow women at the front from 2016

The British Army will allow the deployment of women to fight in the first row next year, announced on Sunday, British Prime Minister David Cameron.

"Defense Minister (Michael Fallon) and I are in agreement with all the military posts are open to women in 2016," said Cameron in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph.

"Since we raised several barriers in the Army, as the inclusion of women in submarine crews and the arrival of women to the highest positions (...). We must finish this job allowing women to adopt combat positions," he said.

British Armed Forces began in 2014 a review of the physical characteristics required of soldiers to be sent to the first line with forecasts predicting that the conclusions of a report on the matter be known in the middle of next year.

The UK announcement follows the decision taken this month by the United States that will allow women to participate in all Army combat units.

The British executive predicts that in the fall of 2016 women can begin to be incorporated in training for positions at the front.


About 20% of positions in the British Armed Forces are prohibited to women, who represent 10% of military personnel.