Female personnel in the UK armed forces are still being issued with military kit that does not fit correctly, despite a significant report five years ago highlighting the increased risk of harm posed by such equipment. The 2021 Atherton report specifically called for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to urgently roll out safer, more appropriate gear for servicewomen by the close of 2022.
Despite some acknowledged improvements, servicewomen have continued to voice concerns. These include body armour that does not adequately account for female anatomy, such as breasts, and a persistent shortage of smaller sizes, leading to what some describe as 'competition' among troops for available kit. Rhian Brown, a veteran who left the Army Reserve in 2024 after seven years, recounted her experience, stating she 'never really felt that it protected me or entirely fulfilled the purpose that it was meant to.'
Following the recommendations from Dame Sarah Atherton's report, the MoD introduced a new version of its Virtus Scalable Tactical Vest in 2022, designed with adjustable straps and smaller flat plates, claiming improved 'fit, comfort and mobility.' While Ms Brown acknowledged this newer version as an improvement, feeling 'tight and secure,' she maintained that 'ultimately it still wasn't designed to fit me.' She emphasised that 'women are not flat, we have breasts and curves,' highlighting that the flat plates in the armour do not conform to the body, making fit a safety issue rather than one of appearance.
Compounding these issues, Ofsted, which inspects MoD training establishments, reported in October 2025 that for the 'fourth consecutive year,' women and smaller recruits were being issued ill-fitting kit. The report indicated that this puts them at a disadvantage, affecting their appearance and potentially preventing participation in activities due to poorly fitting equipment like webbing or rucksacks.
In a notable development, the MoD has funded the supply of 2,000 sets of new curved body armour plates for women serving in the Ukrainian armed forces. This kit, designed by Coventry-based NP Aerospace, features plates tested extensively and specifically shaped to fit female torsos, addressing the fact that 'women are not small men - they're shaped differently,' according to Erin Grieve from NP Aerospace. However, this specifically designed curved body armour is currently not available to UK servicewomen, raising questions about provision for personnel at home.