Chief of the Defence Staff 🇬🇧

Visiting Kyiv yesterday with General Burkhard to meet with President Zelenskyy. Britain and France are coming together & Europe is stepping up in a way that is real & substantial, with 200 planners from 30 nations working to strengthen Ukraine’s long term security. 🇬🇧🇫🇷🇺🇦

Yesterday I was in Paris with @CEMA_FR to host the Chiefs of Defence from 30 nations for a video call ahead of the meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Coalition of the Willing. United in our commitment to Ukraine, we stand ready to act.

I am delighted for Rich Knighton and will be working to ensure he has the best possible start as CDS. It has been a privilege to lead the Armed Forces for four years. I know that Rich will assume the mantle with all the responsibility, purpose, courage and ambition required.

The King’s Birthday Parade is always a special occasion which symbolises continuity and tradition and the quality of our Armed Forces. It was even more special this year to share it with Chiefs from the 9 nations of the Joint Expeditionary Force, who are such steadfast allies.

Yesterday evening, I spoke with regional Chiefs from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, about the on-going conflict. We have a shared ambition to see a de-escalation of events and long-term stability for the region, including a resolution in Gaza.

My thoughts on the Strategic Defence Review:

Today I was in Singapore to meet with Chiefs from the Five Power Defence Arrangement countries - Australia, Malaysia, Singapore & New Zealand. FPDA is one of Britain’s longest & most important ties in South East Asia, and emblematic of our commitment to strategic stability.

A very productive meeting of NATO Defence Chiefs as we discussed long term support to Ukraine and, ahead of this summer’s NATO Summit, how European allies can step up to respond to the challenges we face.

General Jenkins’ appointment as 1SL reflects a Corps which is bound even more tightly to how the Royal Navy thinks, operates & fights. He has the instincts & ambition needed to drive the Navy’s modernisation, ensuring it can continue to safeguard our security & prosperity.

On VE Day we remember how the nation united around a single purpose: to restore peace, security & freedom in Europe. The example of that generation must never fade. Today’s Armed Forces recommit themselves to upholding thier legacy, alongside our allies, today & in the future.

This weekend I was in Riyadh for the 8th gathering of the ‘Dragon Group’ of Middle East defence chiefs. The ability to have open, candid and challenging conversations among trusted partners is invaluable. My thanks to General Ruwaili for hosting.

Important meeting between our military and Chiefs of Defense Staff of partners – Admiral Sir Tony Radakin @AdmTonyRadakin_ of the United Kingdom and General Thierry Burkhard @CEMA_FR of France. We are working to ensure security in Ukraine and to establish reliable security…

Presenting the British and French Chiefs to His Majesty. A day of reassurance and commitment. Europe’s two leading militaries are forging a stronger and deeper partnership with a vital foundational role in the security of the continent. God Save the King and Vive la France!

Two years ago I was privileged to host General Burkhard & the French Chiefs of Staff at the King’s Birthday Parade. Tomorrow the Combined Chiefs will meet again in London to consider how our partnership can become a deeper, stronger & more vital component of European security.

I am saddened to learn of the passing of John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC - last of ‘The Few’.

Today I joined my French counterpart, Thierry Burkhard, as co-host for a gathering of 37 nations and 34 defence chiefs to discuss support for Ukraine, and Europe’s role in resolving the conflict in coordination with the US.