From Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific, military leaders reflect on a year of global operations

Looking back on 2025, the UK's most senior military leaders describe a period shaped by constant operational demand and close work with allies, with Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton saying the priority had been "keeping the country safe" by supporting partners, including Ukraine.

For the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins described a "phenomenal" year, highlighting the return of the Carrier Strike Group from its global deployment and stressing that the service had been "busier than ever protecting the nation".

Across the Army, the emphasis was on focus and precision, with Chief of the General Staff General Sir Roly Walker pointing to large-scale Nato deployment exercises such as Steadfast Dart, which brought together around 10,000 troops from multiple nations under divisional command.

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Meanwhile, Chair of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth said it had been an "incredibly busy year" operationally at home and abroad, underlining the Armed Forces' global reach and the professionalism of those contributing to stability worldwide.