General Paul Velentino Phiri is the current Defence Force Chief, having taken over the position on 11 July, 2023 from General Vincent Nundwe. He joined the Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) as a Direct Entry Cadet in 1980, graduating in 1982 as an infantry officer, and has held various significant Command and Staff roles in the military. Before his current role, General Phiri served as the Deputy Defence Force Commander starting from December 2020. His educational qualifications include a PhD in Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies, a Masters’ Degree in Strategic Management from Derby University, a Masters’ Degree in Global Security from Cranfield University, and a B.Sc. in International Studies from the University of Nairobi. General Phiri is actively involved in academia, serving as an Adjunct Staff member at Mzuzu University, teaching at the Centre for Security Studies, and as a visiting lecturer at the University of Cape Town for Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies. His decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), as well as psc and ndc qualifications, signifying his expertise and dedication in the field of military and security studies.