People will remain at the heart of our Armed Forces,
the Defence Secretary has said, as he made
his first visits as Defence Secretary to the
Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
The Defence Secretary prioritised meeting Armed
Forces personnel to understand their experiences and
give his steadfast commitment to supporting serving personnel and
their families.
Defence Secretary said:
The work of each and every one of our Armed Forces personnel is
critical to our nation’s security, and I am grateful for their
tireless dedication and expertise, and proud to be leading such a
brilliant organisation.
I am committed to protecting the security and prosperity of our
nation while ensuring that all personnel and their families have
the best possible experience, from childcare and accommodation,
to pay and equipment.
On his visit to the Navy in Portsmouth, the Defence Secretary met
with serving Navy personnel to understand their experiences and
opportunities they have had in the forces.
He toured Type 45 HMS Defender which has recently been
at the heart of joint operations with the UK’s allies, having
completed four operations and four exercises in the year prior to
her refit – including Exercise Formidable Shield. The Defence
Secretary received briefs on Navy priorities and met with
representatives from BAE Systems – a key defence partner – which
is supporting thousands of jobs and livelihoods across the UK.
On Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, visiting the Army, the Defence
Secretary and Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick
Sanders, met the British soldiers at the centre of the UK-led
training programme which has trained more than 26,500
Ukrainian recruits to date. He heard their inspiring stories and
observed the world-leading training, before receiving briefings
on the Army’s priorities, including modernisation.
At RAF Waddington, accompanied by Chief of the Air Staff, Air
Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, the Defence Secretary met the
personnel serving at the station – including 51 and XIII
Squadrons, who operate Rivet Joint and Reaper Aircraft
respectively. The Defence Secretary heard about their
experiences in the Armed Forces and the work they have recently
done. was briefed on the
intelligence gathering roles the RAF provides for defence.
Providing the often-unseen elements of Defence is Strategic
Command, based at Northwood, London and led by its
Commander, General Sir Jim Hockenhull. During a meeting with
General Jim, the Defence Secretary was briefed on the work of the
specialists in the organisation such as cyber operators,
intelligence analysts, medics, and logisticians.
By integrating capabilities across Defence, Strategic Command
ensures our Armed Forces are ready to respond anytime and
anywhere. People are the key to making this work, and the Defence
Secretary discussed the broad range of initiatives ongoing in
Strategic Command to attract, upskill, and retain people,
particularly those with science, digital and technical skills.
This week, the Defence Secretary also
visited Kyiv with Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir
Tony Radakin to discuss the UK’s steadfast support to Ukraine.
Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony
Radakin said:
I am pleased the Secretary of State has had an opportunity to see
how the Armed Forces are adapting to the lessons from the war in
Ukraine, and to a world of state-on-state competition.
An Army that is benefitting from a £40 billion investment
programme to become even more lethal and even stronger within
NATO. A Royal Air Force which is transitioning from
fourth-generation aircraft to fifth-generation aircraft, more
capacity to transport people and cargoes, and is improving our
ability to both use and defend in space. A Royal Navy that is a
carrier force once again with an enhanced global presence and an
ongoing renewal of our nuclear deterrent. And all our
Services striving to make more use of technology and data
both to provide the winning edge and look after our people
better.
Most of all I am pleased the Secretary of State is able to meet
even more of our people. It is their commitment and skill, and
the partnerships they forge internationally and with industry,
that keep our nation safe.
