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Defence Secretary Michael Fallon: "There should not be any bar to serving in the armed forces on the basis of gender"
Women could be allowed to serve in British infantry units for the first time by 2016.
An Army review of the ban on women serving in close combat has concluded the change would not have an "adverse effect" on troop cohesion.
But more research is needed to assess the "physiological demands", a review for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said roles "should be determined by ability and not gender".
He said he hoped to introduce the change "subject to some final research over the next year or so." Initial findings are expected in 2016.
'Real desire'BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said military sources have told the BBC there is now a "real desire" among ministers to end the restrictions.
Kevan Jones, Labour's shadow armed forces minister, welcomed the move.
Currently women can serve on the front line, but not where the primary aim is to "close with and kill the enemy".
This means women are not permitted to serve in the infantry or armoured corps.
Continue reading the main storyAll services
-
Navy
3,000 (9%)
-
Army
8,010 (9%)
-
Royal Air Force
4,910 (14%)
Women by service
MOD
To join an infantry unit at recruitment level, men have to complete run of 1.5 miles in 12 minutes 45 seconds.
They then have to complete an annual fitness assessment which involves carrying 25kg, plus a rifle and helmet, over a distance of just under eight miles in two hours, the MoD said.
Continue reading the main story
Other key standards for example services |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Army service | Job | Static lift | Jerry can carry |
|
Source: MoD |
|||
|
Infantry |
Para senior |
40kg |
120m |
|
Infantry |
Para junior |
40kg |
120m |
|
Infantry |
Para reservist |
40kg |
120m |
|
Infantry |
All, minus paras |
40kg |
120m |
|
Combat support |
Royal Engineers |
35kg |
120m |
|
Combat service support |
Royal Logistics Corps |
20-40kg |
30-120m |
|
Junior entry |
All juniors, minus paras |
40kg |
120m |
Fitness standards: full MoD list.
Col Mike Dewar, a military historian who served in Cyprus, Borneo and Northern Ireland, told the BBC the "battle fitness test" also required the infantry to "pick up another man, with his rifle and equipment, and carry him in a fireman's lift 200 metres."
He said upper body strength in "99.9% of women" would make it "virtually impossible" to pass the tests.
Countries who currently allow women to participate in close combat roles include the United States, Canada, Denmark and New Zealand.
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Former army officer Ashley Merry: ""Would I want to be serving alongside women who wanted to be in face-to-face combat?"
Maj Judith Webb, the first woman to command an all-male field force squadron in the Army, said women are "physically different" to men. The presence of weaker soldiers over an extended period "could create an effect on our combat effectiveness," she added.
But Brig Nicky Moffat, until recently the most senior female officer serving in the Army, has described caution as "sexism dressed up as concern".
And Dr Christine Cheng, who lectures in war studies at King's College London, said women in combat roles had been good for armed forces in other countries.
Analysis: Jonathan Beale, BBC defence correspondentThis is a signal of intent, but not a done deal.
The fact that the review did not lift the ban on women serving in close combat roles shows there are still issues to be resolved - most importantly, how will a woman's body stand up to the huge physical demands of being an infantry soldier?
Those against lifting the ban will also be worried that standards will be weakened for women. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has talked of the need to "improve" training if the infantry is opened up to women. What exactly does that mean?
With so many allies, including the US, now allowing women to carry out close combat roles, it will be increasingly hard for the British Armed Forces to keep the ban in place. Times have changed and there is political pressure for the Army to change too.
But in reality even in those countries that have lifted the ban, women are still in a significant minority. Few may want to join the infantry and even fewer are likely to meet the physical demands.
Maj Gen Patrick Cordingley, a former commander of the 7th Armoured Brigade - known as the Desert Rats, said the move would be a "mistake".
He added: "The practicalities of women in the infantry and armoured corps are considerable and should not be overlooked."
A defence source told the BBC the wellbeing of British personnel is of the utmost importance.
Are you a woman who would like to join the infantry in a close combat role? What is your view of the ending of this ban? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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