The head of the navy who brought in the submarine deal with Australia and America has been chosen by the prime minister as the next head of the armed forces.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, 55, will take over from
General Sir Nick Carter, 62, as chief of the defence staff when he steps down at the end of November.
The First Sea Lord is the first military chief to come from the navy since Admiral Sir Michael Boyce in 2001. His appointment was widely expected in recent weeks despite strong competition from other chiefs, including General Sir Patrick Sanders, the chief of
strategic command, who was well-liked across the forces.
Announcing the decision, Boris Johnson said Radakin had proven himself as an “outstanding military leader” and under his command there were more sailors on the front line, warships at sea — including two aircraft carriers — and the UK was leading a “shipbuilding renaissance” protecting lives around the UK.
He said Radakin would lead the forces “at a time of incredible change while upholding the values and standards that they are respected for around the world”.
Described by insiders as “charismatic”, Radakin had been seen as a likely favourite given the prime minister’s focus on shipbuilding and having a greater naval presence overseas as part of “Global Britain”. He positioned himself as a “doer” who would transform the military.
The Times also revealed last month how Radakin brought in the nuclear-powered submarine deal with Australia and America, which led to the
Aukus pact. The pact between the three nations was described by the prime minister’s national security adviser as “the most significant capability collaboration anywhere in the world in the past decades”.
The contest for the post had previously been considered a two-horse race between Radakin and Sanders. Sanders, the head of strategic command which oversees cyber, special forces and military intelligence, was seen as a highly competent chief, a “soldier’s soldier” and mental health champion who knew how to communicate with the lower ranks.
The race for the job was unusual as for the first time a three-star candidate had been put forward after Johnson told Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, that he wanted “radical thinking” and a “broader pool” of candidates to select from, even if it meant them skipping a rank.
Vice Admiral Ben Key, who led the
evacuation effort in Afghanistan, applied and is likely to be given the role of First Sea Lord. General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith had also been in the running and was a personal friend of Johnson’s, with whom he went to Eton.
Radakin, whose appointment was approved by the Queen, said he was “humbled” to have been selected in a period of enormous change, saying: “It will be an immense privilege to lead our outstanding people who defend and protect the United Kingdom.”
He added: “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.”
Wallace said of the announcement: “Admiral Tony brings an unparalleled wealth of experience to the role at a time of significant change for the armed forces and Ministry of Defence.
“We are modernising to address the challenges posed by an increasingly unstable world and I know he will lead the armed forces with distinction in his new post.”
He added: “There is much to be done, at home and abroad, the threats against the UK and our allies are growing.”