Two women up for SAS selection for first time ever

Two personnel are to become the first females to tackle Special Air Service (SAS) selection.

The pair have passed through pre-selection for the revered British Army special forces unit and are now set to face the full course.

In the past, women have been able to work with the SAS after transferring from separate units, although until now none have attempted the entire selection process.

The two unnamed individuals are both products of a one-to-one programme aimed at boosting female representation across UK Special Forces (UKSF) and making full use of the defence talent pool.

Project Artemis trains women for specialist support roles within UKSF over a period of nine months, provided they have two years' experience and their Commanding Officer's recommendation.

It is hoped mental, physical and skill-based training under Project Artemis will have helped prepare the pair for an SAS selection course known to produce one of the world's most elite fighting forces.

"We need female operators," senior Army commander General Sir Patrick Sanders told The Sun newspaper.

Selection for the SAS, which was formed in 1941, features a demanding range of challenges in a variety of environments, from the Brecon Beacons in Wales to jungle climate.