{{Short description|British retired Royal Navy officer (born 1965)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox military person | honorific_prefix = Admiral | name = Sir Tony Radakin | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|GBE|KCB|}} | image = Tony Radakin in 2023 (cropped).jpg | alt = | caption = Admiral Radakin in 2024 | nickname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|11|10|df=y}} | birth_place = Oldham, Lancashire, England | death_date = | death_place = | burial_place = | allegiance = United Kingdom | branch = Royal Navy | service_years = 1990–2025 | service_number = C032545M<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=62310|page=B3|supp=y|date=9 June 2018}}</ref> | rank = Admiral | unit = | commands = Chief of the Defence Staff<br/>First Sea Lord<br/>Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces<br/>HMNB Portsmouth<br/>Combined Task Force Iraqi Maritime<br/>US/UK Naval Transition Team, Iraq<br/>{{HMS|Norfolk|F230|6}}<br/>Southampton URNU<br/>{{HMS|Blazer|P279|6}} | battles = Iraq War | awards = Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire<br/>Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath<br />Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)<br/>Bronze Star Medal (United States)<br/>Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr (Gold) (Germany) | spouse = {{Marriage|Louise Radakin|1995}} | children = 4 | alma_mater = University of Southampton (LLB)<br/>King's College London (MA) | relations = | other_work = Lord High Constable of England (2023) }} Admiral '''Sir Antony David Radakin''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GBE|KCB}} (born 10 November 1965) is a retired senior Royal Navy officer who served as Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the British Armed Forces, from November 2021 to September 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCB ADC |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tony-radakin |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>
Radakin was previously the First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Naval Service from June 2019 to November 2021. He was Chief of Staff, Joint Forces Command, from 2016 to 2018, and the Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff from 2018 to 2019. He was appointed Lord High Constable of England in 2023, and in that role took part in the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2023 |title=Coronation order of service in full |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65503950 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622043932/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65503950 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=6 May 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Radakin was born on 10 November 1965 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England.<ref name=whoswho /><ref name="GOV 1SL">{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=19 June 2019 |title=Admiral Tony Radakin CB ADC |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tony-radakin |access-date=19 June 2019 |website=Government of the United Kingdom |publisher=Ministry of Defence |quote=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Larisa |date=31 July 2024 |title=Admiral Sir Tony Radakin: ‘We check every day that the line to Russia works — but there isn’t a chat’ |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/admiral-sir-tony-radakin-we-check-every-day-that-the-line-to-russia-works-but-there-isnt-a-chat-zpg37tpfx |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Times |language=en}}</ref> He moved to Portishead, Somerset, when he was five years old.<ref name="Sancti Brendani" /> He was educated at St Brendan's College, then an all-boys Catholic direct grant grammar school in Bristol.<ref name="whoswho">{{Who's Who | author=| year=2023| title=Radakin, Adm. Sir Antony David, (Sir Tony)|id=U282403| doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U282403}}</ref><ref name="Sancti Brendani">{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Ralph |title=Most Famous Old Boys: Admiral Sir Antony David Radakin, KCB, ADC |url=http://www.sanctibrendani.co.uk/mostfamous.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025105546/https://www.sanctibrendani.co.uk/mostfamous.asp |archive-date=25 October 2022 |access-date=24 October 2022 |website=Sancti Brendani}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph works" />
Radakin studied law at the University of Southampton, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1989.<ref name=whoswho /><ref name="Telegraph works">{{cite news |last1=Sheridan |first1=Danielle |title=Tony Radakin: The state school-educated boy from Oldham who 'changed how the Navy works' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/10/07/tony-radakin-innovator-forward-thinker-changed-way-navy-works/ |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=7 October 2021}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Larisa |date=31 July 2024 |title=Admiral Sir Tony Radakin: ‘We check every day that the line to Russia works — but there isn’t a chat’ |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/admiral-sir-tony-radakin-we-check-every-day-that-the-line-to-russia-works-but-there-isnt-a-chat-zpg37tpfx |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Times |language=en}}</ref> He was sponsored through university by the Royal Navy.<ref name=":1" />
He continued his legal career alongside his naval service, and qualified as a barrister and was called to the Bar from the Middle Temple in 1996.<ref name=whoswho /><ref name="GOV new">{{cite web |title=New military chiefs appointed |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-military-chiefs-appointed |website=GOV.UK |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=20 May 2019|date=3 December 2018}}</ref>
He later studied international relations and defence studies at King's College London, completing a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 2000.<ref name="whoswho" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name="GOV new" />
==Naval career== thumb|left|Vice Admiral Radakin as Second Sea Lord Radakin gained his commission in the Royal Navy on 20 October 1990.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/~/media/royal%20navy%20responsive/documents/profiles/radakin%20tony.pdf|title=Rear Admiral Tony Radakin|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=52353|supp=y|page=18701|date=3 December 1990}}</ref> After a period watchkeeping on {{HMS|Leeds Castle|P258|6}}, he was navigating officer aboard {{HMS|Charybdis|F75|6}} and {{HMS|Andromeda|F57|6}} (1991–1992).<ref name=whoswho/> He was commanding officer of {{HMS|Blazer|P279|6}} from 1993 to 1995.<ref name=whoswho/> He was promoted to lieutenant commander on 1 November 1996,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=54637|supp=y|page=1|date=31 December 1996}}</ref> and went on to become commanding officer of the frigate {{HMS|Norfolk|F230|6}} in 2003, commanding officer of the US/UK Iraqi Naval Transition Team in 2006, and commanding officer of the US/UK Combined Task Force Iraqi Maritime in 2010.<ref name=bio/> For this tour he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by the President of the United States.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59554|supp=y|page=18540|date=24 September 2010}}</ref>
Promoted to commodore on 30 August 2011,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59898|supp=y|page=16983|date=6 September 2011}}</ref> Radakin became commander of HMNB Portsmouth in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/1811|title=Naval base commander seen off in style|date=6 October 2011|publisher=Navy News|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214523/https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/1811|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was appointed Director of Force Development at the Ministry of Defence in November 2012.<ref name=appoints>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Ministry%20of%20Defence%20Senior%20Posts.pdf|title=Ministry of Defence and tri-service senior appointments|date=July 2022|page=19}}</ref> Promoted to rear admiral on 3 December 2014,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61071|supp=y|page=23726|date=9 December 2014}}</ref> he became Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces and Rear Admiral Surface Ships in December 2014,<ref name=bio/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/december/22/141222-fleet-awards|title=Fleet awards|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=21 June 2019}}</ref> and Chief of Staff, Joint Forces Command, in March 2016.<ref name=appoints/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yourgibraltartv.com/society/11698-may-17-chief-of-staff-joint-forces-command-visits-the-rock|title=Chief of Staff Joint Forces Command Visits The Rock|date=17 May 2016|publisher=Your Gibraltar TV|access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref>
Promoted to the rank of vice admiral on 27 March 2018 on appointment as Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=62252|supp=y|page=6366|date=10 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Admirals-Current.pdf|title=Admirals (list)|date=July 2023|page=1}}</ref> Radakin was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2018 Birthday Honours three months later.<ref name=":3">{{London Gazette|issue=62310|supp=y|page=B3|date=9 June 2018}}</ref> He was promoted to admiral and succeeded Admiral Sir Philip Jones as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in June 2019.<ref name="GOV 1SL"/><ref>{{cite web |date=3 December 2018 |title=New First Sea Lord appointment announced |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2018/december/03/181202-1sl |access-date=3 December 2018 |website=Royal Navy, Ministry of Defence}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Nicholls |first=Dominic |last2=Mendick |first2=Robert |date=3 December 2018 |title=A 'generation of innovators' has been appointed to run the military in a shake-up of the top ranks of the Army, Navy and RAF |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/03/generation-innovators-has-appointed-run-military-shake-up-top/ |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
In 2019, Radakin initiated a programme of reform across the Royal Navy under the banner of Royal Navy Transformation. The initiative encompassed increasing the UK's operational advantage in the North Atlantic, developing carrier strike operations using the newly constructed aircraft carriers HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' and HMS ''Prince of Wales,'' increasing the Royal Navy's forward presence around the world, reforming the Royal Marines into the Future Commando Force and improving the Navy's use of technology and innovation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Radakin |first=Tony |date=11 September 2019 |title=First Sea Lord speech to Defence and Security Equipment International |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/september/11/190911-1sl-speech-dsei |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=Royal Navy, Ministry of Defense |publisher=}}</ref> Controversially, this also included a forty per cent reduction in admirals across the Royal Navy and a forty per cent cut in headquarters staff.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Jamie |date=30 January 2020 |title=Royal Navy to halve number of staff at headquarters, as sailors are redeployed to front line roles |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/30/royal-navy-halve-number-staff-headquarters-sailors-redeployed/ |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
Radakin was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2021 Birthday Honours.<ref name=kcb>{{London Gazette|issue=63377|supp=y|page=B2|date=12 June 2021}}</ref>
===Chief of the Defence Staff=== [[File:Ben Wallace in Moscow (2022-02-11) 04.png|thumb|Radakin and UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on 11 February 2022]] Radakin was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff on 30 November 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KCB ADC appointed new Chief of the Defence Staff |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/admiral-sir-tony-radakin-kcb-adc-appointed-new-chief-of-the-defence-staff |publisher=UK Ministry of Defence|date=7 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed Radakin instead of the Ministry of Defence's preferred candidate, General Sir Patrick Sanders, due to Radakin's reputation as a reformer and Johnson's anticipation of future naval conflicts in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/3fb62ce8-ff6b-44bf-ab58-6dff15e77075|title=UK military chiefs battle to become next head of armed forces|last=Parker|first=George|access-date=2 December 2021|date=2 October 2021|website=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/|title=PM went against MOD to appoint Radakin|last=Sheridan|first=Danielle|date=8 October 2021|access-date=2 December 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> Radakin relinquished the position of First Sea Lord to Admiral Sir Ben Key on 8 November 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/november/08/20211108-1sl-supersession|title=Royal Navy welcomes new First Sea Lord|date=8 November 2021|website=www.royalnavy.mod.uk}}</ref>
Radakin made his first Chief of Defence Staff speech to the Royal United Services Institute in December 2021. He stated that the security outlook for the UK was "far more complex and dangerous than at any time over the past 30 years" and that the geopolitical situation was in "a real sense of back to the future, with the return of the State as the central, indispensable feature of the international system."<ref name="Sky">{{cite web |last=Haynes |first=Deborah |date=7 December 2021 |title=UK security outlook more dangerous now than at any time in past 30 years, warns new head of armed forces Admiral Sir Tony Radakin |url=https://news.sky.com/story/uk-security-outlook-more-dangerous-now-than-at-any-time-in-past-30-years-warns-new-head-of-armed-forces-admiral-sir-tony-radakin-12489397 |access-date=1 January 2022 |website=Sky News |publisher=}}</ref><ref name="Speech">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chief-of-the-defence-staff-speech-to-the-royal-united-services-institute| title=Chief of the Defence Staff Speech to the Royal United Services Institute | date=7 December 2021 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=1 January 2022}}</ref> Radakin also said that the UK military was at risk of looking "ridiculous" until it improved diversity and leadership in the armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Larisa |date=31 July 2024 |title=Admiral Sir Tony Radakin: Improve diversity or we’ll look ridiculous, urges new defence chief |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/admiral-sir-tony-radakin-improve-diversity-or-well-look-ridiculous-urges-new-defence-chief-hzg6x3bml |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Times |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>
Radakin said on 7 January 2022 that the UK faced a number of security challenges from Russia, and that an attempt to damage underwater communication cables could be considered by the UK as an "act of war".<ref name="Sky2">{{cite web |last=Whiteside |first=Philip |date=8 January 2022 |title=Russian submarines threatening undersea network of internet cables, says UK defence chief Sir Tony Radakin |url=https://news.sky.com/story/russian-submarines-threatening-undersea-network-of-internet-cables-says-uk-defence-chief-sir-tony-radakin-12511437 |access-date=9 January 2022 |website=Sky News |publisher=}}</ref> However, he also said that the UK and Russia continue to test daily the telephone connection between the UK Ministry of Defence and the Russian Situation centre, which could be used "if urgent talks were needed to de-escalate an incident."<ref name=":0" /> [[File:The President of Ukraine met with the British Prime Minister in Kyiv. (52510587050).jpg|thumb|Radakin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Kyiv, Ukraine on 19 November 2022]]
On 11 February 2022, Radakin met with Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. Gerasimov denied that Russia was planning to invade Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last=Foreman |first=John |date=5 March 2023 |title=Britain's most recent defence attaché in Moscow on the failings of Valery Gerasimov |url=https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2023/03/05/britains-most-recent-defence-attache-in-moscow-on-the-failings-of-valery-gerasimov |access-date=31 July 2024 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>
Asked on the BBC's ''Sunday Morning'' programme shortly after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine whether Russia taking over Ukraine was inevitable, Radakin said: "No. I think we’ve seen a Russian invasion that is not going well".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giordano |first=Chiara |date=7 March 2022 |title=Putin victory in Ukraine 'no longer inevitable,' says head of Britain's Armed Forces |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/putin-ukraine-war-britain-tony-radakin-b2029956.html |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Independent |issn=1741-9743}}</ref> Later, on 31 March 2022, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin had "already lost" the war in Ukraine due to "catastrophic misjudgments."<ref>{{cite news |last=Jackson |first=Jon |date=31 March 2022 |title=Putin Made 'Catastrophic Misjudgments' in Ukraine: U.K. Military Official |url=https://www.newsweek.com/putin-made-catastrophic-misjudgments-ukraine-uk-military-official-1693892 |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=Newsweek |issn=0028-9604}}</ref> In June 2022, Radakin answered questions from the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=McKeon |first=Christopher |date=22 June 2022 |title=Replacing UK’s weapons stockpiles could take ‘years’, says head of armed forces |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/admiral-chief-of-the-defence-staff-ukraine-uk-armed-forces-government-b2106807.html |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |issn=1741-9743}}</ref> He said that, following support for Ukraine, replacing the weapons stockpiles of the UK could take "years" to achieve and that it may also be "five to ten years" before the UK was ready to deploy a division with sufficient capabilities to fight with US forces.<ref name=":2" />
In July 2022, he said "As military professionals, we see a relatively stable regime in Russia. President Putin has been able to quash any opposition. We see a hierarchy that is invested in President Putin and so nobody at the top has got the motivation to challenge President Putin. And that is bleak."<ref>{{cite news |date=17 July 2022 |title=Russia Has Lost 50,000 Soldiers In Ukraine, U.K. Military Chief Says |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-50000-casualties-ukraine/31947401.html |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}</ref> thumb|right|Radakin at the Coronation of Charles III in 2023
In September 2022, Radakin paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death.<ref name="PH2022">{{cite web |last=Merrington |first=Jacqui |date=8 September 2022 |title=Royal Navy to play special role in Queen's funeral |url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/royal-navy-play-special-role-7565362 |access-date=16 September 2022 |website=Plymouth Herald |publisher=}}</ref><ref name="Inews2022">{{cite web |last=Duggan |first=Joe |date=9 September 2022 |title=The Queen's military titles: What happens to the honours held by Elizabeth II after her death aged 96 |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/the-queen-military-titles-honours-what-happens-elizabeth-ii-death-1668315 |access-date=16 September 2022 |website=i |publisher=}}</ref> He described the relationship between the Queen and the armed forces as "deeply personal" and that the armed forces would perform their final duty to the Queen by participating in her state funeral.<ref name="PH2022"/><ref name="Inews2022"/>
On 19 October 2022, Radakin delivered the annual Lord Mayor of London Defence and Security Lecture in Mansion House, London.<ref name="UKGov2022">{{cite web |date=19 October 2022 |title=Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Mayor of London Defence & Security Lecture |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chief-of-the-defence-staff-lord-mayor-of-london-defence-security-lecture |access-date=20 October 2022 |website=Government of the United Kingdom, Ministry of Defence |publisher=}}</ref> He discussed the wider security situation in Europe, focusing on Ukraine and Russia.<ref name="UKGov2022"/><ref name="Reuters2022speech">{{cite news |date=19 October 2022 |title=British defence chief: Putin's nuclear rhetoric "deeply irresponsible" |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/british-defence-chief-putins-nuclear-rhetoric-deeply-irresponsible-2022-10-19/ |access-date=20 October 2022 |work=Reuters}}</ref>
In light of the 2022 strikes, Radakin, said it would be "slightly perilous" to expect the UK Armed Forces to be used routinely in the event of strikes by public sector workers. "We're not spare capacity," he said. "We're busy and we're doing lots of things on behalf of the nation. We've got to focus on our primary role."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zeldin-O'Neill |first=Sophie |date=18 December 2022 |title=Army should not be used as 'ultimate backstop' in strikes, defence chief says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/18/army-should-not-be-used-as-ultimate-backstop-in-strikes-defence-chief-says |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224}}</ref>
Radakin served as Lord High Constable of England at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-04-27/roles-to-be-performed-at-the-coronation-service-at-westminster-abbey|title=Roles to be performed at the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey|publisher=The Royal Family|access-date=27 April 2023}}</ref>
In September 2023, Radakin was appointed a Commander of the Legion of Merit by the United States. The honour was presented by General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 September 2023 |title=Head of UK Armed Forces honoured with United States' highest distinction for foreigners |url=https://www.forces.net/services/army/head-uk-armed-forces-honoured-us-legion-merit-highest-distinction-foreign-officers |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=British Forces Broadcasting Service}}</ref>
It was announced in February 2024 that Radakin would stay in post as Chief of the Defence Staff until autumn 2025 after proving to be a key player in helping Ukraine in its fight against Russia.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Larisa|last=Brown|date=29 February 2024 |title=British military chief helped Zelensky destroy Russian war ships |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/how-head-of-the-armed-forces-is-secretly-helping-ukraine-with-battle-plans-6tcmw67hs |url-access=subscription|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>
In July 2024 he criticised "historic underinvestment" in the British Armed Forces leading to "deficiencies in people, equipment, stockpiles, training and technology".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bodkin |first=Henry |date=23 July 2024 |title=Army ‘not as strong as it could be’, says Armed Forces chief |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/07/23/british-army-is-not-as-strong-as-it-could-be-says-armed-for/ |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sengupta |first=Kim |date=23 July 2024 |title=British army not as strong as it should be, admits defence chief |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tony-radakin-british-army-strength-nato-russia-ukraine-b2584423.html |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |issn=1741-9743}}</ref>
On 2 August 2024, Radakin visited Israel and met with Israel's Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi to discuss "strategic security issues and cooperation in the region."<ref>{{cite news |title=IDF chief meets with British counterpart to discuss ‘strategic security issues’ amid Iranian threat |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-chief-meets-with-british-counterpart-to-discuss-strategic-security-issues-amid-iranian-threat/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=2 August 2024}}</ref>
In September 2025, Radakin handed over command of the British Armed Forces to Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/richard-knighton |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> and on 9 November 2025 he formally retired from the navy.<ref>{{London Gazette| issue=64936|page=24483| supp=y|date=23 December 2025}}</ref>
Radakin was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the 2026 New Year Honours.<ref name=gbe>{{London Gazette|issue=64940|page=N5|supp=y|date=30 December 2025}}</ref>
==Later life==
Radakin was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire in March 2026.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=65020 |date=19 March 2026 |page=5286 }}</ref>
==Personal life== In 1995, Radakin married. He lives in Hampshire with his wife, Louise, and their four sons.<ref name=whoswho /><ref name=":0" /> Radakin is president of the Royal Navy Squash Association and the Armed Forces Tennis Association, and the vice admiral of the Royal Naval Sailing Association.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tony-radakin|title=Admiral Tony Radakin CB ADC|website=GOV.UK|access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>
==Honours and decorations== Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets with Adm. Sir Tony Radakin, United Kingdom Chief of Defence, during a bilateral meeting at the NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defense Session (MCCS) at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium Jan. 17, 2024. MCCS enables the Chiefs of Defense to meet and discuss issues of strategic importance to the Alliance. (DOD Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist James Mullen) |url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Admiral_Sir_Tony_Radakin%2C_United_Kingdom_Chief_of_Defense_at_NATO_Headquarters_in_Brussels%2C_Belgium_Jan._17%2C_2024_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Admiral_Sir_Tony_Radakin%2C_United_Kingdom_Chief_of_Defense_at_NATO_Headquarters_in_Brussels%2C_Belgium_Jan._17%2C_2024_%28cropped%29.jpg |access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref><div class="center">
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117x117px116x116px </div> {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:silver;" align="center" |Ribbon || Description || Notes |- |40x40px |Most Excellent Order of the British Empire |Appointed Knight Grand Cross in 2026<ref name=gbe/> |- |40px||Most Honourable Order of the Bath|| * Appointed Companion in 2018<ref name=":3" /> * Appointed Knight Commander in 2021<ref name="kcb" /> |- |40px||General Service Medal (1962)||With "Gulf" clasp |- |40px||Iraq Medal|| |- |40px||Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal||6 February 2002 |- |40px||Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal||6 February 2012 |- |40px||Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal||6 February 2022 |- |40px||King Charles III Coronation Medal||6 May 2023 |- |40px||Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1848)|| With 2 Bars |- |40px||Commander of the Legion of Merit|| Appointed in 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=British Forces Broadcasting Service. |url=https://www.forces.net/services/army/head-uk-armed-forces-honoured-us-legion-merit-highest-distinction-foreign-officers |access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref> |- |40px||Bronze Star Medal||Awarded in 2010<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59554|page=18540 |supp=y|date=24 September 2010}}</ref> |- |} In November 2025, Radakin was awarded the Cross of Honour in Gold of the Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr 'for special services to the German Armed Forces' by the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 November 2025 |title=The UK's former Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has received the Bundeswehr's highest award, the Gold Cross of Honour. Sir Radakin was presented the award by Germany's Chief of Defence Breuer, in recognition of his dedication towards strengthening 🇬🇧🇩🇪 friendship. |url=https://x.com/i/status/1987879480690421813 |website=X.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Commons category}}
{{S-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before=Robert Tarrant}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces|years=2014–2016}} {{s-aft|after= Alex Burton}} |- {{s-bef|before=Jonathan Woodcock}} {{s-ttl|title=Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff|years=2018–2019}} {{s-aft|after=Nick Hine}} |- {{s-bef|before=Sir Philip Jones}} {{s-ttl|title=First Sea Lord|years=2019–2021}} {{s-aft|after=Sir Ben Key}} |- {{s-bef|before=Sir Nick Carter}} {{s-ttl|title=Chief of the Defence Staff|years=2021–2025}} {{s-aft|after=Sir Rich Knighton}} |- {{s-court}} |- {{s-vac|last=The Viscount Alanbrooke}} {{S-ttl|title=Lord High Constable of England|years=2023}} {{s-vac}} {{s-end}}
{{Chiefs of Defence Staff}} {{First Sea Lord}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Radakin, Tony}} Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:People from Oldham Category:British barristers Category:Royal Navy admirals Category:First Sea Lords and Chiefs of the Naval Staff Category:Chiefs of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom) Category:Lord high constables of England Category:Alumni of King's College London Category:Alumni of the University of Southampton Category:Foreign recipients of United States military awards and decorations Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath Category:Royal Navy personnel of the Iraq War Category:20th-century Royal Navy personnel Category:Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Military personnel from the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham