The Government has approved the deployment of New Zealand Army officer Brigadier Grant Motley to the role of Force Commander of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, Defence Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“As MFO Force Commander, Brigadier Grant Motley, upon promotion to Major General, will lead nearly 2000 military and civilian personnel from 33 countries. The mission’s role is to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the 1979 Treaty of Peace between Israel and Egypt,” Mr Goldsmith says.
“This is an important appointment for New Zealand, which has contributed to the mission since its inception in 1982. It demonstrates our commitment to global peace and stability.”
Brigadier Motley will be the fourth New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) officer to have been appointed by the MFO to this position.
He brings more than 37 years of military service to the appointment, including command at squadron, battalion and formation level, and extensive experience in multinational operations including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Timor-Leste, Afghanistan and Iraq. He has also served in Southeast Asia as a defence diplomat; in defence intelligence; military education and strategic leadership roles – including his current post as Chief of Staff of Headquarters NZDF.
Brigadier Motley will be accompanied by three additional NZDF personnel fulfilling the functions of Military Assistant, Aide de Camp, and Personnel Protection Officer. The New Zealand Defence Force is currently mandated to deploy up to 28 personnel to the MFO.
He will take up the appointment from 30 November 2026, replacing the current Force Commander, Major General Michael Garraway, of Australia.