Everard to be most senior UK officer in NATO

Lieutenant General Sir James Everard has been appointed NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR).

With a notable military career in Bosnia, Germany and Iraq, Everard, currently Commander Field Army, will be promoted to General and will succeed General Sir Adrian Bradshaw in March 2017.

The UK will lead NATO’s multinational quick reaction spearhead force in 2017, providing around 3000 UK troops along with tanks and armoured fighting vehicles.

Everard said: “It’s an honour to take up this role at such an important time for NATO. The Warsaw Summit took important decisions on strengthening NATO’s collective defence and deterrence. So this will be a busy time and I am very much looking forward to making a contribution as DSACEUR.”

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “The fact that a Briton holds such a senior military role underlines our leading role in NATO. With recent commitments to 500 troops in Estonia, more troops in Afghanistan and the renewal our nuclear deterrent, we’ve never been more committed to the NATO alliance.”