255 generals and brigadiers in Army - Rennie

11.09.17am GMT Mon 28th Dec 2009

There are now 255 people at the rank of brigadier or above in the British Army, the Liberal Democrats have revealed.

An answer to a Parliamentary Question revealed that in the Army, there are now:

• 190 brigadiers - up from 170 in 1997

• 43 major generals

• 17 lieutenant generals - up from 10 in 1997

• 5 generals

With the Army currently at a trained strength of 100,000, this represents one brigadier or general for every 400 service personnel. A battalion is usually around 600 strong, and commanded by a lieutenant colonel.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson, Willie Rennie said:

"With Armed Forces spending already stretched, such a large number of top-ranking officers must be cause for concern.

"The Government needs to explain whether we really need a general or brigadier for every 400 men in the Army.

"With front-line troops low-paid and short of equipment, the MOD must make sure it can justify the number of top brass and bureaucrats there are in Britain's defence establishment."

ENDS

Notes:

1. The figures came in answer to a Parliamentary Question:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm091103/text/91103w0010.htm#091103161004841

2. The latest figure for the trained strength of the Army is 100,450

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm091214/text/91214w0042.htm#0912153001368