Colonel Peter Warden, from the MoD team introducing the new weapon, says that after well over four decades in service, the pistol from US manufacturer Browning was no longer the ideal weapon and had become increasingly expensive to maintain.

BBC: Glock 17 9mm pistols replace Browning for UK forces

Retired Air Force Colonel John A. Warden III flew 266 combat missions in Vietnam but is best known for masterminding the Gulf war air campaign in 1991.

FORBES: The Art of War

John A. Warden III is a retired Air Force colonel.

FORBES: The Art Of War