Female soldiers wounded... by battle kit that cost Army £79m
FEMALE Royal Marine and recruits are suffering career-threatening injuries from wearing a kitcarrying system designed for men.
The high-tech £79 million Virtus battle equipment system is causing women trying to become Britain’s first commandos and infantry soldiers to endure agonising leg and hip problems, according to scientists.
They say the 90- litre capacity rucksack is too big for most female troops while the webbing pouches used to carry ammunition and worn around the waist hurt their hips, which are naturally wider than a man’s.
Troops who have suffered lowerlimb injuries while wearing Virtus include the first female Royal Marine recruit, Philippa Birch. The super-fit international rower spent months recovering from a stress fracture after collapsing during a march over Dartmoor.
At the time she was carrying equipment weighing 70 lb and a rifle. The Mail on Sunday understands Recruit Birch remains determined to complete the gruelling 32-week course and earn the Corps’ coveted green beret.
She had completed the first ten weeks at Lympstone in Devon and shaved her head to blend in with the male recruits. No exceptions have been made for her beyond having a separate room and shower area.
The failure by top brass to provide female-friendly kit could expose the Army to expensive legal claims. In 2013, female RAF recruits were awarded £100,000 after suffering pelvic fractures caused by marching in step with taller male colleagues during basic training.
The fact that most female recruits are shorter than male recruits is a factor while using Virtus, according to scientists who attended the Defence and Security Equipment International military exhibition in London last week. Panicked defence chiefs have now asked the scientists to design equipment better suited to women’s bodies.
One scientist said: ‘The kit is far better suited to men than women and doesn’t take into consideration differences in female anatomy – because women were not serving in the Royal Marines or infantry regiments when this kit, which is otherwise very good, was chosen.
Previously, female military personnel had not been expected to carry heavy equipment over rough terrain for long periods. Now they’re expected to do so to the same standard as men. It’s a huge challenge.
‘As a result, we’ve seen many of the first women attempting to join commando and i nfantry units suffer lower-limb injuries. Loadbearing kit for women will need to consider differences such as height, hip width and pelvic-angle issues.’
More than 50,000 sets of Virtus have h been b issued i d to troops and dh the MoD says 90 per cent of feedback has been positive, with respondents saying it is lighter and more comfortable than the kit it replaced.
The Ministry last night declined to comment.