Who Are The New Military Chiefs?

Four new military chiefs have been appointed to the British Armed Forces, including new heads of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

The appointments were approved by the Queen and announced by the Defence Secretary.

Gavin Williamson said: "I am delighted to congratulate this new group of defence chiefs on their appointments.

"Forward-looking and keen to modernise the Armed Forces, these are the transformational leaders we need in these challenging times.

"The appointment of a new generation of commanders will ensure that Britain remains ready to face the threats of tomorrow and continues to be a major player on the world stage."

They will take up their new appointments next year.

But who are the new military bosses?

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff - Vice Admiral Timothy Fraser

Vice Admiral Fraser is to be promoted to Admiral and appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, deputy to the head of the Armed Forces.

As a surface warfare officer, he commanded four ships: the patrol craft HMS Archer (1989-1991), the T42 Destroyers HMS Gloucester (1997-1998) and HMS Cardiff (2001-2003; as the Captain Fifth Destroyer Squadron) and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (2006-2007).

He has also served as the United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander in Bahrain, commanding Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships in the Middle East, and additionally serving under the Commander US Fifth Fleet as the Deputy Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces.

He was appointed as Chief of Joint Operations in June 2017 on promotion to Vice Admiral.

Head of the Royal Navy - Vice Admiral Tony Radakin

Vice Admiral Radakin is to be promoted to Admiral and become the head of the Royal Navy, taking over from Admiral Sir Philip Jones as First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff.

Commissioned in 1990, his early sea service was as an Officer of the Watch in HMS Leeds Castle, navigator of HMS Andromeda, command of HMS Blazer and then serving as Operations Officer on HMS Beaver. 

Commander Joint Forces Command - Lieutenant General Patrick Sanders

Lt Gen Sanders is to be promoted to General and appointed Commander Joint Forces Command.

He was commissioned into The Royal Green Jackets in 1986 and served in Germany, Northern Ireland, Canada and Norway.

He has been the Army's LGBT Champion, featuring in Stonewall's 2017 campaign wearing his Army uniform alongside a slogan reading “Come Out For LGBT”.  

Head of the RAF - Air Marshal Mike Wigston

Air Marshal Wigston will be promoted to Air Chief Marshal and appointed as the head of the RAF, in succession to Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier.

Appointments in operational headquarters have included Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar, as the Chief of Combat Operations in the Combined Air and Space Operations Centre; Basrah International Airport, Iraq as Commander 903 Expeditionary Air Wing; and one year in Afghanistan as the Director Air Operations in Headquarters ISAF Joint Command. 

In March 2017, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Staff and oversaw the RAF100 centenary programme.

WATCH: Greg Bagwell on the new head of the RAF