17/10/2008
New British Army Chief Named
General Sir David Richards, the former commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, has been announced as the new officer to head the British Army.
Currently serving as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces, Gen Sir Richards will take up the post as Chief of the General Staff in August 2009. He will replace General Sir Richard Dannatt.
Lieutenant General Peter Wall CBE will take over his post as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces. He will be promoted to the rank of general upon taking up his new appointment.
General Sir David believes 30,000 extra servicemen are required in Afghanistan. This would include 5,000 more British troops in addition to the 8,000 already there.
Recently he told the BBC: "I think militarily there is a case for more troops, they don't all have to come by any means from the UK.
"Nato International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) between them have a large number of troops, so I think perhaps we would be looking at others in the first instance."
The Ministry of Defence has also announced Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope will become the new head of the Royal Navy and the new head of the RAF is Air Marshal Stephen Dalton.
(JM)
Currently serving as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces, Gen Sir Richards will take up the post as Chief of the General Staff in August 2009. He will replace General Sir Richard Dannatt.
Lieutenant General Peter Wall CBE will take over his post as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces. He will be promoted to the rank of general upon taking up his new appointment.
General Sir David believes 30,000 extra servicemen are required in Afghanistan. This would include 5,000 more British troops in addition to the 8,000 already there.
Recently he told the BBC: "I think militarily there is a case for more troops, they don't all have to come by any means from the UK.
"Nato International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) between them have a large number of troops, so I think perhaps we would be looking at others in the first instance."
The Ministry of Defence has also announced Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope will become the new head of the Royal Navy and the new head of the RAF is Air Marshal Stephen Dalton.
(JM)
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