Australia's Army has started a new advertising campaign in a bid to boost recruitment levels.

Australian Chief of Army Peter Leahy launched the campaign at the Royal Military College here Thursday.

He said the Army will bring 5,000 new soldiers into the ranks, a 20 percent increase, over the next decade.

"As our Prime Minister said in the middle of last year, simply we need more boots on the ground," he told reporters.

"To put more boots on the ground we've got to recruit them," he added.

The television advertisement campaign will be launched nationally on Sunday. The advertisement shows officers in the field, particularly those serving on overseas missions.

Leahy said a boost in the ranks is needed to cope with the increasing volatility in the region.

"I know that there are many other Australians who are ready for this challenge," he said.

"They want to make a difference to their community and the world and they're ready to accept the challenge of serving the nation, and this campaign is aimed at them," he said.

Leahy said the army was currently achieving 90 to 95 percent of recruiting targets but still encountered problems attracting and holding those with engineering and trade skills.

The Army's advertising campaign is the latest part of the broader defense campaign to attract new personnel and retain those already in the services.

Source: Xinhua