RAF Scrambling to Find Aircraft for Paras to Jump from for D-Day 80th Commemorations

Shortage of Aircraft for British Troops

The RAF is facing a challenge as they scramble to find aircraft for Paras to jump from during the D-Day 80th commemorations. Currently, only one Airbus A400M aircraft is available for the hundreds of British troops set to take to the skies over France.

Call for Increased Defence Spending

Defence Minister Grant Shapps has highlighted the need for more investment in the UK's Armed Forces due to this shortage. He has ordered an urgent review and is determined to secure additional planes for the Normandy event. Shapps emphasized the importance of the Government's plan to boost defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.

Tribute to Fallen Soldiers

The D-Day event, to be led by the King and attended by US President Joe Biden, will include a jump the day before the June 6 anniversary. This gesture honors the airborne forces' deployment in the lead-up to the historic beach landings.

The King has also paid tribute to the fallen on the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy, which paved the way for the D-Day operations several weeks later.