The United Kingdom has extended the term of Adm. Sir Tony Radakin as chief of defense staff until autumn 2025.
According to a report from The Telegraph, Radakin was set to retire in November, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asked him to remain in his post for another year to continue his efforts in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s military aggression.
Radakin was appointed to the role in November 2021. Since Russia started its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he has traveled to Kyiv, the United States and Belgium to meet with his counterparts and shape the international response to Moscow’s attacks.
Besides sustaining support to Ukraine, Radakin said his efforts in the coming year will also focus on modernizing the British Armed Forces. Citing the lessons gained from the ongoing war, the official said he would strengthen the U.K.’s nuclear enterprise and accelerate the adoption of drones and other technology.
Before assuming the chief of defense staff role, Radakin served as first sea lord and chief of naval staff, during which he facilitated the transformation of the Royal Navy, enabled a renewed naval presence worldwide and helped negotiate the AUKUS defense agreement between the U.K., Australia and the U.S.
