PM Wants New Defence Chief
 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/p...hief-rkjv29hps

PM wants a new defence chief

Boris Johnson is preparing to replace the head of the armed forces before the summer, earlier than planned, unleashing a battle royal between a fellow Old Etonian and two other commanders for the role.

General Sir Nick Carter, chief of the defence staff (CDS), had been expected to stay in post until the autumn. But according to senior Whitehall sources, Johnson signalled last week that he wanted him gone by June and that a letter was being prepared to inform him.

Last night No 10 said a final decision had not been made. But a well-placed source familiar with the discussions said Johnson had “tired” of Carter, 61, and was keen to move on. “He is set to deny his request for an extension,” the source said.

It is understood that Johnson wants new leadership to begin what he has called a “once-in-a-generation modernisation” of Britain’s military might.

The recent strategic defence and security review gave the armed forces a £16.5bn cash boost over four years to buy new kit, while shifting its focus to a new global maritime strategy and cyber and drone warfare rather than traditional arms and armour.

General Sir Patrick Sanders, 54, who is in charge of strategic command, is thought to be the choice of Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, to replace Carter. The outgoing CDS has also “been telling anyone who is prepared to listen” that the job should go to Sanders.

But he faces a rearguard action from the army and the navy, which are lobbying for their own commanders to take the top job.

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, 56, an Old Etonian with a special forces background, is being pushed by those who think the largest of the three services should keep the job.

“He’s impressive, smooth and he’s their current boss,” a defence source said. “It looks like a fight between the two generals.”

The navy, which has not had a CDS since Admiral Lord Boyce in 2001-03, is also pressing for the promotion of Admiral Tony Radakin, 55, the first sea lord.

His case is bolstered by Johnson’s backing for the navy’s two new aircraft carriers and the decision that the UK should be more proactive around the world, making the presence of the fleet felt in the Far East as well as the Gulf.

Hmmm, methinks the credibility of the second part of the story (service rivalry) is undermined somewhat by the claim that the Army is fighting a rearguard action for “one of its own” to get the job instead of Gen Sanders, who is after all in the Army... looks to me like ****-stirring over-interpretation of the source’s comments :hmm:

Who does that sound like?

CG

ORAC;
Quite apart from the fact that he is actually senior to the First Sea Lord, and after careful consideration of their respective pedigrees, not least relative to the Army contenders, I would suggest that there is an even stronger case for Admiral Sir Tim Fraser to become CDS, as opposed to Admiral Tony Radakin. I am not concerned with any suggestion of "whose turn it is".

Jack

Why does the Times article forget about the increased commitment to NATO and the European/Atlantic theatre?

Agreed. The whole second half of the article strikes me as being made-up journalistic fluff, presumably hoping to stir up an inter-service briefing war for the journo’s benefit. Tiresome.

Does any one know the ratio of Admirals to ships?

is that rear or vice or the top man? Around the same as equivalent ranks in the RAF to airfields I would think😉

Within RN control, there are now a total of 10 Admirals - Rear to Full. (I think).

So add in all the Admirals in Nato, UK joint roles, PJHQ, DES, MOD HQ, Cyber, diplomatic posts...and it could be 30 Admirals per ship?!