Additional Planes Secured for D-Day Commemorations, Says Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that more planes will be provided for this year’s D-Day commemorations to ensure a proper tribute. Only one Atlas A400 aircraft is available, but four are needed for about 450 paratroopers. The 80th-anniversary events will take place on 5 and 6 June in Portsmouth and Normandy, involving over 1,600 members of the British Armed Forces. Efforts are being made to allocate additional aircraft despite current deployments.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has announced that more planes will be secured for the upcoming D-Day commemorations, ensuring a proper tribute to the event.
Currently, only one Atlas A400 aircraft is available for the Parachute Regiment, but four are needed to accommodate about 450 paratroopers.
The commemorations mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings during World War Two and will take place on 5 and 6 June in Portsmouth, UK, and Normandy, France.
Shapps emphasized that the issue was brought to his attention recently and highlighted the need for increased military funding.
Despite the current deployment of Atlas A400s in Ukraine and the Middle East, efforts are being made to allocate additional aircraft.
More than 1,600 members of the British Armed Forces, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Navy will participate, including a commemorative jump by UK paratroopers alongside Allied counterparts.
Currently, only one Atlas A400 aircraft is available for the Parachute Regiment, but four are needed to accommodate about 450 paratroopers.
The commemorations mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings during World War Two and will take place on 5 and 6 June in Portsmouth, UK, and Normandy, France.
Shapps emphasized that the issue was brought to his attention recently and highlighted the need for increased military funding.
Despite the current deployment of Atlas A400s in Ukraine and the Middle East, efforts are being made to allocate additional aircraft.
More than 1,600 members of the British Armed Forces, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Navy will participate, including a commemorative jump by UK paratroopers alongside Allied counterparts.