Canberra, March 26 (IANS): Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday announced the new army and air force chiefs.

Lieutenant General Angus Campbell would be the new army chief from May 16 and Air Vice Marshal Gavin Davies would be the new air chief from July 4, Xinhua reported.

Abbott said both men would "bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles" and praised their ongoing contributions to Australia's defence force.

He said Campbell had done an outstanding job during his previous roles in the army, most recently as head of Abbott's border protection policy known as 'Operation Sovereign Borders'.

"Lieutenant General Campbell has served as the Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force for the highly successful Operation Sovereign Borders, he has overseen operations in the Middle East and commanded operations in Timor-Leste," the prime minister said.

Abbott lauded incoming air force chief Air Marshal Davies for his commitment to the air force, calling him a "pilot of distinction".

"Air Marshal Davies has a wide range of operational, command and staff experience, including deploying to the Middle East, command of 82 Wing (the then strike and reconnaissance wing of the air force), and a posting as Air Attache in Washington."

"Most recently, he served as the deputy chief of the air force."

The prime minister also praised the contribution of the outgoing heads, congratulating army chief Lieutenant General David Morrison and the air chief, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, on their service.