Military kit still failing women, troops say
Female service members in the UK armed forces report that military equipment, including body armor, remains poorly fitted despite previous government warnings. Veterans argue that current designs fail to account for female anatomy, potentially compromising safety and operational effectiveness.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing challenges in gender equality and safety standards within national defense institutions.
Image source, Rhian Brown Image caption, Rhian Brown served seven years in the Army Reserve before leaving in 2024 after working as an infantry platoon commander
Women in the armed forces say they are still being issued kit that does not fit properly, five years after a landmark report warned they were at "greater risk of harm" from ill-fitting uniform and equipment.
The 2021 Atherton report said the Ministry of Defence should urgently roll out safer, more appropriate kit for female service personnel by the end of 2022.
Despite improvements, women have been telling the BBC some kit is still poorly fitting, with body armour failing to account for breasts, and shortages of smaller sizes resulting in "competition" among troops.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) says it ensures everyone has access to the "best equipment they need to protect themselves in combat".
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