Defence Secretary scrambling to deploy ‘further planes’ | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Grant Shapps has insisted there can be “additional planes” for the parachute drop to mark the eightieth anniversary of D-Day.

Hundreds of paratroopers had been anticipated to leap into Normandy to honour the actions of their predecessors within the Second World War however plans have been scaled again due to a scarcity of plane.

The Defence Secretary has ordered a overview and can verify early this week whether or not a second plan can be out there on the day.

Mr Shapps stated: “This was only brought to me very recently and I certainly do want to see that properly covered.

“So, I’ve no doubt at all we’ll have additional planes there.

“It is actually the case that the A400, which is the aircraft we use, are being used in operations at the moment.

“It’s one of the reasons why I have argued, and successfully argued, to get £75 billion more in cash terms into our armed forces because I think you do need to be doing more of these things.”

Defence chiefs are scrambling to safe extra plane as crises in Ukraine and the Middle East have left the RAF’s transport fleet stretched.

Reports urged that only one aircraft had been left for the Parachute Regiment to make use of however Mr Shapps stated he anticipated extra can be discovered.

A supply near Grant Shapps stated: “It’s important we remember the past and commemorate the sacrifices that guaranteed the freedom we enjoy now.

“This is a special anniversary of D Day and the UK will play a full part in the commemorations with a significant military representation.

“The A400 fleet has been involved in a wide range of complex operations, including NATO missions and aid drops to Gaza, and the Defence Secretary is grateful for all the work of those involved.”

The occasion involving paratroopers takes place a day earlier than the anniversary of D-Day itself, echoing the way in which airborne forces had been despatched to France upfront of the landings on the Normandy seashores.

Labour MP and former defence minister Kevan Jones known as on Mr Shapps to resolve the problem out of respect for individuals who fought for Britain.

“Veterans who took part in the historic operation on the blood-soaked Normandy beaches and the Nazi-infested territory beyond it will rightly be furious that 80 years on, the MoD can’t provide enough planes,” he stated.

“Grant Shapps should pull his finger out and sort this immediately.”