New Army chief demands troops surge in Taliban war

A GENERAL who wants a big increase in the number of troops in Afghanistan was today appointed head of the British Army.

General Sir David Richards, who is taking over from General Sir Richard Dannatt, called this week for 5,000 more soldiers to take on the Taliban.

Reports have suggested that privately he wants an even higher total of at least 30,000 as part of a plan to match the US "surge" in Iraq, which is widely regarded as having helped improve stability there.

Sir David's appointment, and his call for more troops, comes amid increasing concerns about the progress of Nato's mission in Afghanistan, where the Taliban appears to be growing rather than waning.

British fatalities, which have now reached more than 100, have risen in recent months with a spate of deaths from roadside bombs or during clashes with Taliban fighters.

About 8,000 British soldiers are already in Afghanistan. Some critics have argued that Britain should be scaling back its involvement, but Sir David responding to concerns that defeat in Afghanistan would be disastrous in the fight against al Qaeda has instead called for an increased military effort in the country.

He said that although many of the extra soldiers should come from other Nato countries, most of which have so far been reluctant to send large numbers or deploy in the most dangerous areas, British troop numbers would also have to rise.

"I think militarily there is a case for more troops, they don't all have to come by any means from the UK," Sir David told the BBC.

"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."

The Government has played down widespread expectations that the reduction in troops in Iraq next year would lead to a mini-surge in reinforcements for Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, where Britain's military presence is concentrated. Sir David will be replaced in his current job as the Commander-in-Chief of British land forces by Lieutenant General Peter Wall, it was claimed.

Sir David has been giving evidence at the Old Bailey this week where 45-year-old Daniel James, a corporal in the Territorial Army and an interpreter, is on trial charged under the Official Secrets Act.

Speculation has been growing over the past month that "plain-speaking" General Sir Richard Dannatt, the current head of the British Army, was planning early retirement.

Defence experts claim Sir Richard was passed over for the top job of Chief of the Defence Staff after publicly highlighting the serious strains facing the armed forces and calling for improved pay for junior troops.