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New heads of armed forces named | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The commander-in-chief of British land forces, Gen Sir David Richards, is to become head of the Army, the Ministry of Defence has said. | |
He will replace Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, who has been in the top post since August 2006. | He will replace Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, who has been in the top post since August 2006. |
Gen Richards has long been tipped for the top Army job. | |
Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope will become the new head of the Royal Navy, while the new head of the RAF is to be Air Marshal Stephen Dalton. | |
BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says Gen Richards is widely seen as one of the UK's most impressive commanders in recent years. | |
In a BBC interview this week, Gen Richards said there was a case for more troops to be sent to Afghanistan, but not necessarily from the UK. | In a BBC interview this week, Gen Richards said there was a case for more troops to be sent to Afghanistan, but not necessarily from the UK. |
The government has currently ruled out increasing the British presence there. | The government has currently ruled out increasing the British presence there. |
Between 2006 and 2007, Gen Richards was in charge of 35,000 troops, which made up the 37-nation International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. | Between 2006 and 2007, Gen Richards was in charge of 35,000 troops, which made up the 37-nation International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. |
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 ISAF nations between them have a large number of troops, so I think perhaps we would be looking at others in the first instance." | "Nato ISAF nations between them have a large number of troops, so I think perhaps we would be looking at others in the first instance." |
'Spy' trial evidence | 'Spy' trial evidence |
His appointment is part of a wider reshuffle at the top of the Armed Forces. | His appointment is part of a wider reshuffle at the top of the Armed Forces. |
Sir Mark will become First Sea Lord, taking over from Admiral Sir Jonathon Band. | |
Air Marshal Dalton will step into the role of Chief of the Air Staff, replacing Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy. | |
In an unusual move earlier this year, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, was extended in his post until 2011. | In an unusual move earlier this year, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, was extended in his post until 2011. |
Gen Richards has been giving evidence at the Old Bailey this week in the trial of a British corporal accused of spying for Iran. | Gen Richards has been giving evidence at the Old Bailey this week in the trial of a British corporal accused of spying for Iran. |