General Sir David Richards has suggested more troops need to be deployed to Afghanistan.

The British Army has appointed former commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, General Sir David Richards, as its new Head of Staff.

General Richards, who has suggested more troops should be sent to Afghanistan, will succeed Sir Richard Dannatt when he takes up the post in August 2009.

He is currently serving as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces and will be replaced by Lieutenant General Peter Wall CBE (Late Corps of Royal Engineers).

General Richards was quoted in a BBC interview this week as stating there is a case for more troops to be deployed to Afghanistan, but not necessarily from the UK. 

He said: “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.”

According to NATO data, there are currently around 33,000 US troops in Afghanistan – more than from any other country, followed by the UK with 8,000. Italy has 2,350, followed by Turkey with 800, Romania with 725 and Bulgaria with 460.

Richards’ appointment follows a reshuffle at the top of the Armed Forces, prompted by the impending retirement of three chief staff members.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup, has extended his post until 2011; Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope will take over from Admiral Sir Jonathon Band as First Sea Lord; whilst Air Marshal Dalton will succeed Sir Glenn Torpy as Chief of the Air Staff.

By Natasha Piscitelli