Admiral Sir Tony Radakin addresses security threats in a 'pivotal time' for defence

The new head of the Armed Forces has reflected on what a "pivotal time" this is for defence, highlighting the "opportunity to unlock the potential of UK Armed Forces".

In his first speech as Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin suggested that the Armed Forces has the opportunity to become "more deployable, more effective, to modernise, to be more lethal, and to be more diverse" – becoming 'Global Forces for Global Britain'.

The Chief of the Defence Staff warned that the "security outlook is far more complex and dangerous than at any time over the past 30 years", highlighting the challenges posed by rivals China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

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Admiral Radakin went as far as to say that Russia's behaviour is a "threat to our values and interests".

He also accused China of "challenging international norms of behaviour: whether freedom of navigation, economic intimidation or wolf-warrior diplomacy".