Army chief favourite for top role

Changes to Britain's senior commanders are expected very soon, with the present Defence Chief, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, being succeeded by the Army Chief, General Sir Michael Walker.

The changeover is scheduled early next year. General Walker emerged as the clear favourite because of his deft handling of a range of complicated Army operations in Sierra Leone and Macedonia, and Britain's lead in peace operations in Afghanistan.

Admiral Boyce is due to retire after serving two years. This is the normal term but his two predecessors Lord Inge and Lord Guthrie served an extra year each.

However as Admiral Boyce is from the Navy and his deputy, Air Chief Marshal Sir Anthony Bagnall, from the RAF, their lack of experience in land operations at the top could be a problem - particularly if Britain is asked to join the US in operations against Saddam Hussein or in the Gulf. This is now regarded as probable rather than possible, say Washington sources. US defence chiefs assume Britain will contribute up to 25,000 soldiers, according to informed speculation earlier this year.

The contest to follow General Walker is now a two-horse race. The first name, General Sir Mike Jackson, Commander in Chief of Land Forces, is hugely popular with soldiers. The other is Lieutenant General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, currently the Army's Adjutant General, and long regarded one of the services' finest intellects.