Key decisions await RN (Opinion)
HMS Queen Elizabeth returned to Portsmouth on 9 December following its maiden deployment in Carrier Strike Group 21. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
Perhaps the most important part of Adm Sir Ben Key’s tenure as First Sea Lord will not be the immediate RN of today, but setting the conditions for the navy of the future.
As the new head of the RN, First Sea Lord (FSL) Adm Sir Ben Key inherits a force that, on paper, has undergone significant transformation and appears well placed to deliver maritime force on behalf of the UK government.
With new ships, a strong building programme and stable funding in place, in theory his tenure in the role should be straightforward. Look deeper, though, and there appear to be a range of potentially significant challenges ahead, all of which could cause real disruption.
The defining buzzword of his predecessor Adm Sir Tony Radakin (now Chief of the Defence Staff) during
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![ASFAT and United Defense Technology partner to bid for Royal Thai Navy frigate build]()
ASFAT and United Defense Technology partner to bid for Royal Thai Navy frigate build
The Thai and Turkish companies will work together to bid for the four-vessel contract.
-
![EU SEACURE programme seeks autonomous solutions to evolving underwater threats]()
EU SEACURE programme seeks autonomous solutions to evolving underwater threats
The EU and leading defence firms are collaborating on improving autonomous seabed warfare capabilities.
-
![Malaysia’s Maharaja Lela frigates to fit SEA’s Torpedo Launcher System]()
Malaysia’s Maharaja Lela frigates to fit SEA’s Torpedo Launcher System
The TLS is expected to improve the vessels’ anti-submarine warfare performance in Malaysia’s littoral region.
-
![New contract enhances local building commitment of Colombia’s PES frigate programme]()
New contract enhances local building commitment of Colombia’s PES frigate programme
Damen Naval has signed a contract with Heinen & Hopman, which will use local Colombian HVAC-R experts to fit out the fleet.
-
![Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps]()
Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps
The contract will see counter-small uncrewed aerial systems (CsUAS) installed at bases, with the initial contract covering site survey and engineering services as well as some system procurement. Work is expected to be completed over the next ten years.
