Women soldiers closer to frontline

Is there a future for women on the front line?

The Army appears to have moved a step closer towards allowing women to serve in frontline combat roles, following the completion of field trials.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a report will be going to the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, in the New Year.

Reservations: Sir Charles Guthrie

It follows trials carried out on Salisbury Plain in the autumn to assess whether women could perform in combat alongside men.

While the Mr Hoon is widely thought to be sympathetic to the idea of frontline women troops, senior military figures have voiced dissent.

In the trials, women worked alongside men carrying out a range of duties from peacekeeping to intensive combat.

It is part of a three-phase programme designed to test the feasibility of the idea.

According to a report in the Observer newspaper the two sexes interacted well in almost all situations.

'Dangerous and frightening'

But the MoD says a decision on whether women can fight alongside men will not be made until the final part of the study - canvassing the opinion of serving soldiers and their families - has been completed.

Research based upon the experiences of foreign armies will also be conducted as part of the trial programme.

Britain's top soldier, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Charles Guthrie, spoke out against the idea in a high-profile speech last week.

He said that he doubted whether the country was ready for such step and warned bluntly that the Chiefs of Staff would not do anything which damaged the effectiveness of the armed forces.

The Chiefs of Staff are not in the business of designing armed forces for the good times

General Sir Charles Guthrie

"The Chiefs of Staff are not in the business of designing armed forces for the good times," he said.

"We have to advise what will work when the conditions are tough, dangerous and frightening.

"When the time comes, if the Chiefs of Staff advice upsets those who seek equality as an end in itself, then so be it."

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the field trials did take place but has refused to comment on the results.

"We are not prepared to talk about any of these phases in isolation until all the results are known," said a spokesman.

Women already serve in the Navy on all ships except submarines and in any job in the Air Force including fighter pilots, providing they pass the same fitness tests as men.

But they are still restricted from joining the Royal Marines or frontline infantry regiments in the Army.