Radakin appointed new Chief of the Defence Staff

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has selected Adm Sir Tony Radakin as the next chief of Britain’s armed forces, with the choice of the head of the navy intended to reinforce the UK’s post-Brexit switch in focus to the Indo-Pacific region.

Radakin will take up the role at the end of November and takes over from Gen Sir Nick Carter, who had been criticised over the messy retreat from Afghanistan.

Radakin is the first sea lord, responsible for the Royal Navy, which this year deployed the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and a string of supporting vessels into the Pacific as part of a more aggressive posture towards China.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that Radakin ‘brings an unparalleled wealth of experience to the role’, while Johnson labelled him a proven ‘outstanding military leader’ and will lead the Armed Forces ‘at a time of incredible change’.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, said: “I am humbled to have been selected as the next Chief of the Defence Staff. It will be an immense privilege to lead our outstanding people who defend and protect the United Kingdom. I would like to thank General Sir Nick Carter for his leadership and wise stewardship of the UK’s Armed Forces over the last three years.

“I am looking forward to working further with The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP and the rest of the Department’s senior leadership team as we modernise the Armed Forces and implement the Integrated Review. The government has given us clarity and additional resource to counter the threats we face as a nation. It is now time to get on and deliver. I am honoured to be chosen to lead the Armed Forces in this exciting time and in a period of enormous change. The Prime Minister and Secretary of State have demanded reform and we must seize the opportunity the government has given us and ensure we are a global force delivering for Global Britain.”