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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| New army head in pledge to troops | New army head in pledge to troops |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Gen Sir David Richards has pledged to focus on the military effort in Afghanistan as he takes over as head of the British army. | Gen Sir David Richards has pledged to focus on the military effort in Afghanistan as he takes over as head of the British army. |
| The former head of the International Security and Assistance Force has first-hand experience of the conflict. | The former head of the International Security and Assistance Force has first-hand experience of the conflict. |
| He said he would also ensure troops were "geared up" for future missions. | He said he would also ensure troops were "geared up" for future missions. |
| Gen Richards said people were the Army's biggest asset, and admitted his predecessor, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, would be a "hard act to follow". | Gen Richards said people were the Army's biggest asset, and admitted his predecessor, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, would be a "hard act to follow". |
| He said: "As part of the defence team, I will continue to focus on what is needed to meet the government's aims in Afghanistan and the region, and ensuring the Army achieves the tasks laid upon it. | He said: "As part of the defence team, I will continue to focus on what is needed to meet the government's aims in Afghanistan and the region, and ensuring the Army achieves the tasks laid upon it. |
| "The Army's most valuable assets are its people: it is essential that we continue to look after our soldiers and their families, especially those injured or affected adversely through conflict." | "The Army's most valuable assets are its people: it is essential that we continue to look after our soldiers and their families, especially those injured or affected adversely through conflict." |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said: "General Sir David Richards is seen as a good communicator who is also politically astute, and perhaps more likely to fight his battles behind closed doors." | BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said: "General Sir David Richards is seen as a good communicator who is also politically astute, and perhaps more likely to fight his battles behind closed doors." |
| His leadership style may prove to be in contrast to the outspoken Gen Dannatt, who was often at odds with ministers over equipment and support needed on the battlefield. | His leadership style may prove to be in contrast to the outspoken Gen Dannatt, who was often at odds with ministers over equipment and support needed on the battlefield. |
| It is impossible to say whether having more equipment of a particular kind would lead to less casualties Gen Sir David Richards Profile: Gen Sir David Richards Tough task faces New Army chief class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/the_p_word/newsid_10000000/newsid_10001200/10001262.stm">Soldiers respond to appointment | |
| Gen Richards has extensive operational experience in East Timor, Sierra Leone, and first-hand knowledge of the challenges in Afghanistan, gained as commander of Nato coalition forces there between 2006 and 2007. | Gen Richards has extensive operational experience in East Timor, Sierra Leone, and first-hand knowledge of the challenges in Afghanistan, gained as commander of Nato coalition forces there between 2006 and 2007. |
| After the next election, all main parties have committed to holding a root-and-branch review of all military services. | After the next election, all main parties have committed to holding a root-and-branch review of all military services. |
| Gen Richards said: "Looking to the longer term, I will be focusing on making sure that the Army is geared up for future conflict as it evolves in this highly interdependent and globalised era." | Gen Richards said: "Looking to the longer term, I will be focusing on making sure that the Army is geared up for future conflict as it evolves in this highly interdependent and globalised era." |
| Asked earlier this month if he would be presenting a "shopping list" for military equipment on his first day in office, Gen Richards answered: "I will not. | Asked earlier this month if he would be presenting a "shopping list" for military equipment on his first day in office, Gen Richards answered: "I will not. |
| "It is impossible to say whether having more equipment of a particular kind would lead to less casualties, and pretty fruitless speculating about it," he said in an interview with the Times newspaper. | "It is impossible to say whether having more equipment of a particular kind would lead to less casualties, and pretty fruitless speculating about it," he said in an interview with the Times newspaper. |
| "The enemy's tactics will always reflect, and try to exploit, how we operate - my American comrades first taught me the adage, 'the enemy has a vote' - and our own tactics must reflect the equipment and troop numbers we have. | "The enemy's tactics will always reflect, and try to exploit, how we operate - my American comrades first taught me the adage, 'the enemy has a vote' - and our own tactics must reflect the equipment and troop numbers we have. |
| "It is a truism to state that the more we have, the more we can do." | "It is a truism to state that the more we have, the more we can do." |
| Gen Dannatt will now take up the post of chairman of the Royal United Services Institute think-tank. He will also become the 159th Constable of the Tower of London, a ceremonial role. | Gen Dannatt will now take up the post of chairman of the Royal United Services Institute think-tank. He will also become the 159th Constable of the Tower of London, a ceremonial role. |