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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| New head of British Army is named | New head of British Army is named |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| A former commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan who has suggested more troops should be sent to the country is to become head of the British Army. | A former commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan who has suggested more troops should be sent to the country is to become head of the British Army. |
| Gen Sir David Richards will replace Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, who has been in the top post since 2006, in August. | Gen Sir David Richards will replace Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, who has been in the top post since 2006, in August. |
| Gen Richards is currently the British land forces' commander-in-chief. | Gen Richards is currently the British land forces' commander-in-chief. |
| Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope is to become head of the Royal Navy, and Air Marshal Stephen Dalton will take charge of the RAF. Both moves will happen next July. | Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope is to become head of the Royal Navy, and Air Marshal Stephen Dalton will take charge of the RAF. Both moves will happen next July. |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says Gen Richards is widely seen as one of the UK's most impressive commanders in recent years and has long been tipped for the top army job. | BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt says Gen Richards is widely seen as one of the UK's most impressive commanders in recent years and has long been tipped for the top army job. |
| 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. |
| The new heads of the RAF and Navy will take up their roles in July | The new heads of the RAF and Navy will take up their roles in July |
| 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. | 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." |
| Wider reshuffle | Wider reshuffle |
| As commander-in-chief of land forces since Feburary, Gen Richards, 56, oversees training and equipment for current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
| He has been outspoken about the strains faced by Britain's armed forces and the need for better pay for junior troops. | He has been outspoken about the strains faced by Britain's armed forces and the need for better pay for junior troops. |
| Gen Richards has been giving evidence at the Old Bailey this week in the trial of an ex-British Army interpreter accused of spying for Iran. | Gen Richards has been giving evidence at the Old Bailey this week in the trial of an ex-British Army interpreter accused of spying for Iran. |
| His appointment is part of a wider reshuffle at the top of the Armed Forces which will see all three existing heads of service retire. | His appointment is part of a wider reshuffle at the top of the Armed Forces which will see all three existing heads of service retire. |
| 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. |
| Admiral Stanhope will become First Sea Lord, taking over from Admiral Sir Jonathon Band. | Admiral Stanhope 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. | Air Marshal Dalton will step into the role of Chief of the Air Staff, replacing Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy. |