In welcoming the first four non-Christian (Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh) chaplains into the Armed Forces, Mr Reid told a press conference at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that "spiritual, moral and pastoral support" was now be available for service men and women of all faiths.

"One of the important things about service men and women is the importance that is attached to morale.

"It is not just a matter of being happy, it is not just a matter of trust and comradeship, it is also a matter of spiritual fulfillment."

But he said the new appointments would also encourage more people from non-Christian faiths to join the Armed Forces.

"We want to make sure that people of all faiths in this country recognise that the British Armed Forces really truly are the Armed Forces of Britain," he added.

The four new chaplains were also welcomed by the Rev David Wilkes, the British military's chaplain general, and honorary officiating chaplain Rabbi Malcolm Weisman - the military's only chaplain for 65 Jewish service men and women.

The forces have 300 regular commissioned Christian chaplains serving 183,000 Christian personnel.

The MoD have already introduced measures including the provision of allotted periods and areas for worship and appropriate diets. For example, Muslims wishing to pray five times a day are allowed to do so, provided that it is not in the middle of battle.