Military leaders explain the challenges the Armed Forces may face over 2024

The heads of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force have shared some of the challenges they might face in 2024.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin also provided his insight into what difficulties were on the horizon for the Armed Forces.

Adm Sir Tony said all three services would need to implement new ways to better look after their personnel, as the Armed Forces faced "massive competition for talent".

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The head of the Armed Forces went on to say: "We've got to get it across as to how valuable these amazing men and women are - and that means better infrastructure, better ways of giving them a flexible career."

He added: "There was a big pay rise this year, I think that is significant. How do we build on that and look after our people even better?"

Admiral Sir Ben Key, the head of the Royal Navy, said the Senior Service would remain globally deployed and has a huge list of things to look forward to in 2024.

But he cautioned: "Sadly, I don't think peace is going to break out around the world."

Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders said: "The biggest and most important challenge for me is ensuring that we are recruiting and retaining.

"Without the amazing people that we have and without that fresh blood coming into the Army, then we would never be as strong as we can."

Gen Sir Patrick said he wanted to make sure that "this is an Army which anyone can join, which everyone feels themselves in and where everyone's talent shines through".

Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, who officially took over command of the Royal Air Force in June, said: "The world is unpredictable and it's getting more unpredictable - and so I don't really know what the challenges 2024 are going to bring."

The head of the RAF added: "The Air Force is always the country's first responder and so we are going to be ready to fly and fight whatever 2024 brings."

The military chiefs also expressed their gratitude to serving personnel and their families in a series of special Christmas messages.