Ministers Confirm Sufficient Aircraft for D-Day Commemoration

May 20, 2024 TruthUSA

Grant Shapps and James Cartlidge responded to reports over the weekend indicating a shortage of A400 aircraft for the Parachute Regiment’s drop.

Defence ministers have reassured that there will be sufficient aircraft for a parachute drop to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, dismissing reports of a single available A400.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps refuted claims of a plane shortage, stating, “We will have, in fact, 181 parachuters—matching the number that jumped on D-Day at that location.”

Defence minister James Cartlidge confirmed, “We will have two A400Ms available for June 5.”

Paratroopers are set to commemorate their predecessors’ actions in WWII by jumping into Normandy on June 5, a day before the D-Day anniversary, reminiscent of the airborne forces’ landings before the Normandy invasion.

A400s Being Used in Active Warzones

Mr. Shapps, in a BBC interview, acknowledged the recent issue but assured additional aircraft by the commemorations. He emphasized the need for increased defence funding to enable such operations.

He highlighted the use of A400s in ongoing operations worldwide, including aid drops in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to GB News, he stressed the importance of proper commemoration for significant events like D-Day.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed plans for a commemorative jump by UK paratroopers from an A400M aircraft on June 5, alongside Allied forces.

U.S. reinforcements wade through the surf from a landing craft in the days following D-Day and the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France at Normandy in June 1944 during World War II. (Bert Brandt/Pool via AP)

Defence Spending Boost

Last month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a boost in defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030.

The Prime Minister allocated an additional £75 billion to the defence budget over six years, citing the current global threat level. This marks a significant increase in funding for the armed forces.

Concerns were raised by the House of Commons Defence Committee in February, highlighting recruitment challenges and stockpile shortages affecting the UK’s warfighting capabilities.