The Freedom Flame Arrives In Portsmouth For D-Day 80 Commemorations (Image: Getty)
Grant Shapps has insisted there will be "additional planes" for the parachute drop to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Hundreds of paratroopers had been expected to jump into Normandy to honour the actions of their predecessors in the Second World War but plans have been scaled back because of a shortage of aircraft.
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The Defence Secretary has ordered a review and will confirm early this week whether a second plan will be available on the day.
Mr Shapps said: “This was only brought to me very recently and I certainly do want to see that properly covered.
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“So, I’ve no doubt at all we’ll have additional planes there.
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“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.”
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Defence chiefs are scrambling to secure more aircraft as crises in Ukraine and the Middle East have left the RAF’s transport fleet stretched.
Reports suggested that just one plane had been left for the Parachute Regiment to use but Mr Shapps said he expected more would be found.
A source close to Grant Shapps said: "This will definitely be fixed and wouldn’t have got to this stage if he had known earlier. He is a big believer in learning the lessons of the past and that means showing due respect and honour to those who have helped protect the nation in the past.
“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.”
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The event involving paratroopers takes place a day before the anniversary of D-Day itself, echoing the way airborne forces were sent to France in advance of the landings on the Normandy beaches.
Labour MP and former defence minister Kevan Jones called on Mr Shapps to resolve the issue out of respect for those who fought for Britain.
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“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 said.
“Grant Shapps should pull his finger out and sort this immediately.”
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