10,500 army personnel for Olympic games

LONDON – Britain's armed forces minister says approximately 10,500 army personnel will be deployed to help protect the London Olympics.

Responding to a written parliamentary question about how many army members will be on duty, Nick Harvey said Wednesday that under current plans, about 1,700 army reservists and 8,800 regular army personnel will be deployed during the games, which run from July 27 to August 12.

Britain previously had said that up to 13,500 troops would be deployed on land, at sea and in the air to help protect the Olympics alongside police and security guards.

Typhoon fighter jets, helicopters, two warships and bomb disposal experts will also be on duty as part of the security operation, and the Ministry of Defense is considering deploying surface-to-air missile systems during the games.