Army chief in Afghan campaign vow

General Richards, the Chief of the General Staff, will also face battles closer to home in order to ensure his troops have the equipment and support they need.

His outspoken predecessor General Sir Richard Dannatt was frequently at odds with ministers over the issue, and Gen Richards acknowledged he would be a "hard act to follow".

Gen Richards has first-hand experience of the challenge in Afghanistan as a former head of the International Security and Assistance Force. 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."

Gen Richards added: "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."

One of the main challenges he will face in Whitehall is the forthcoming strategic defence review (SDR) as all three services seek to protect their share of the military budget. All main parties have committed to holding a root and branch review after the next election.

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 Dannatt's departure from the Army is unlikely to mean that ministers have heard the last from him. He now takes up the post of chairman of the Royal United Services Institute think-tank - a perfect platform from which to expound his views, unfettered by any last constraints of office.

Separately, the head of British forces in Afghanistan said that more air support would be "of benefit". But Brigadier Tim Radford said that although extra unmanned aerial drones and helicopters would be useful, he has adequate resources to do his job.

He said: "I had enough helicopters to do what I wanted on Operation Panther's Claw (to improve security for a densely populated area) but ask any commander and they will tell you they would like more. More helicopters would certainly make us more tactically effective but I am realistic about the timelines required to deliver them to theatre."