Latest news with #RichardKnighton
Spectator
4 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Can Richard Knighton revamp Britain's armed forces?
With the Strategic Defence Review finally concluded and published, the government has reportedly chosen its candidate to implement the recommendations and changes. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, currently Chief of the Air Staff, will replace Admiral Sir Tony Radakin as Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and professional head of the armed forces later in the year. His task will be to lead Britain's sailors, soldiers and airmen into a 'new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence'. Radakin had been appointed to a three-year term as CDS in 2021, but in March last year he agreed to stay on for an extra year. Summer 2025 was therefore pencilled in for the selection of his replacement; yet several unexpected factors still emerged. Last year, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, General Gwyn Jenkins, was chosen by Rishi Sunak to be the next National Security Adviser. This was thought likely to take him out of the running to be CDS, and his successor, General Dame Sharon Nesmith, raised the possibility of a female candidate. An obvious candidate would have been the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Keir Starmer 'picks money man RAF chief to head UK Armed Forces' as he launches push to get Britain 'war-ready'
Keir Starmer has lined up the 'defence bureaucrat' head of the Royal Air Force as the new professional head of Britain's Armed Forces as he seeks to make the country 'war ready'. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, an RAF engineer, is reportedly in line to be the next Chief of Defence Staff. He is said to be be known as the 'money man' because of his ability to keep an eye on military finances. It comes as the Prime Minister launches a major investment in the UK's defences amid a growing threat from Russia and China. This week he committed to spend 2.5 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) on defence from April 2027, with a goal of increasing that to 3 per cent over the next parliament, a timetable which could stretch to 2034. However, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte is thought to be pushing for allies to commit to spending 3.5 per cent on the military, with a further 1.5 per cent on defence-related measures, as the alliance responds to Russian President Vladimir Putin 's actions in Ukraine. The Times reported that an official announcement is expected shortly. The Strategic Defence Review published earlier this week recommended a greater focus on new technology, including drones and artificial intelligence. The Ministry of Defence announced a £5 billion investment in the 'kit of the future', after the publication of the review on Monday. The funding includes £4 billion for drones and autonomous systems, and an extra £1 billion for lasers to protect British ships and soldiers. In addition to investment in drones and AI, the Government has announced an additional £1 billion for the development of 'directed energy weapons' (DEWs) during the current Parliament. This includes the DragonFire laser scheduled to be fitted to the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers from 2027, with a similar system provided for the Army by the end of the decade. DragonFire and other DEWs are intended to provide a lower-cost form of air defence against targets including drones, costing just £10 per shot compared with the thousands of pounds it costs to fire existing weapons. The current CDS is Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who has been in the role since 2021. According to his biography on the Government website, Sir Richard joined the RAF in 1989 as a university cadet, and served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 2019 to 2022. The Ministry of Defence said: 'This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way.'
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
The career engineer named the new chief of defence
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton has been selected as the next head of all three armed forces, succeeding Admiral Sir Tony Radakin as chief of the defence staff, The Independent understands. The appointment, expected to be officially announced soon, comes amid a period described as the most transformative for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in decades. Sir Richard, a 56-year-old career engineer, is known for his financial acumen and experience in personnel reform, particularly within the RAF. His selection follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 's pledge to make Britain "a battle-ready, armour-clad nation" through a strategic defence review that includes boosting army personnel to 100,000 and investing in new submarines, drones, and AI. An MoD spokesperson said that the appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
RAF chief to lead armed forces, BBC understands
Sir Richard Knighton has been chosen as the next Chief of the Defence Staff, the UK's most senior military officer role, the BBC understands. Sir Richard is set to replace Admiral Sir Tony Radakin who has been in the role since November 2021. He will be expected to oversee major reforms as the government bolsters the UK's defence capability. An official announcement is expected in the coming days, once the decision has made its way through Royal procedure. Sir Richard has been Chief of the Air Staff, the professional head of the Royal Air Force, since June 2023. The change in leadership comes as the government has pledged to increase defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of national income by 2027. It has then set a goal of increasing that to 3% by 2034. On Monday, the government outlined its defence strategy for the next decade. Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs billions of pounds would be invested to move the UK to "war-fighting readiness" in the face of a new era of threats from nuclear powers like Russia and China. Sir Richard is known for having a particular focus on military capability. According to a biography on the government website, he joined the RAF in 1989 as a university cadet, and served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 2019 to 2022. Regarding the appointment, the Ministry of Defence said: "This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way." Defence plan will ensure UK is ready for war, minister says At a glance: Key points from government's defence strategy
Powys County Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
RAF chief set to be new head of armed forces
The head of the RAF is set to be appointed as the new chief of the British armed forces, according to reports. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton is thought to be in line to be the next Chief of Defence Staff. The position is currently held by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who has been in the role since 2021. According to his biography on the Government website, Sir Richard joined the RAF in 1989 as a university cadet, and served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 2019 to 2022. The appointment comes as the Government has pledged to increase defence spending in the UK to 2.5% of gross domestic product on defence from April 2027, with a goal of increasing that to 3% over the next parliament, a timetable which could stretch to 2034. The Ministry of Defence said: 'This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way.'
