The chief of the British armed forces will have his retirement plans delayed after it emerged he was asked by the Prime Minister to stay in post longer as he is a key player helping Ukraine fight the Russians.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, 58, had been due to step down this November after leading the UK’s armed forces as chief of defence staff for the past three years.
However, the Times reports Rishi Sunak has personally asked Sir Tony to carry on in the job because he has been crucial in helping the Ukrainians make battle plans against Putin’s war machine. It’s understood the King has approved the decision from the PM.
Sources told the paper Sir Tony’s “shuttle diplomacy” last year between Washington and Kyiv had played a key role in assuaging some anxiety from White House chiefs about being involved in the war.
On Saturday, in his most recent address, Sir Tony praised Ukraine’s “extraordinary feats of operational and strategic success” and urged Kyiv’s allies to remain united.
He said: “If we maintain the unity and cohesion we’ve seen to date, and keep strongly supporting our brave Ukrainian partners, militarily, economically and diplomatically, Russia will continue to fail and Ukraine will build the foundations to flourish as a strong, prosperous and sovereign nation.”
The UK has pledged to invest almost £250million in producing artillery shells for Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.
Artillery has been a key factor in Ukraine’s resistance to the invasion, and the £245million package announced on Saturday is intended to replenish Kyiv’s reserves of artillery ammunition.
According to the Times, Sir Tony helped with Ukrainian strategy during the war and with planning naval engagements against the Russians. A Ukrainian military source told the paper he was liked for his “wise strategic thinking”.
In the UK, another military source added “He has helped sail the ship of state through three prime ministers, the death of a monarch, and a war in Europe” and that he was well-respected in Whitehall and internationally.
Sir Tony attended a state school before joining the military. His Government website states: “He Commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1990, he has served in numerous command and staff appointments, both ashore and afloat, and in command of UK and international forces.
“Operational tours have included the Iran/Iraq Tanker War, security duties in the Falklands, NATO operations in the Adriatic, countering smuggling in Hong Kong and the Caribbean, and three tours in Iraq – each in command.”
In May 2023 the military leader became “the first commoner” to be appointed to the ancient ceremonial office of Lord High Constable of England for the Coronation of King Charles III.
