The Ministry of Defence has published a tri-service review paper, led by the Chief of the General Staff, into women in ground close combat roles.

As predicted by BAFF, the review does raise the prospect of women being allowed to serve in such roles, defined as "those roles that are primarily intended and designed with the purpose of requiring individuals on the ground, to close with and kill the enemy".

The review, launched in May, has rejected the long-held view that mixed close ground combat units would have an adverse effect on team cohesion, which the report recognises as a vital part of the combat effectiveness of the team.

Other social or psychological factors were considered but not seen as an absolute bar to women in combat roles. The report doesn't mention the alleged female "lack of killer instinct", although it does seek to address the nature and character of conflict.

It also calls for further research into the physiological (physical) demands placed on those in close combat roles before a final decision is made on lifting the current exclusion on women.

The 29-page review paper can be accessed at this MoD link: Women in ground close combat (GCC) review paper