Ministry of Defence recruiting for bolstered arms director role

The Ministry of Defence has started recruiting for the expanded national armaments director job as part of efforts to boost the industry.

The new national armaments director will be a standalone role rather than part of the role held by the defence equipment and support chief executive.

A search is under way for candidates for the role, which will be put on the same footing as the permanent secretary and the chief of the defence staff.

The new hire will be in charge of the UK’s reform of defence exports and acquisition which seeks to cut waste and duplication.

They will also be tasked with ensuring supply chains are resilient and the national arsenal is ready as required.

They will also be responsible for shaping and delivering the defence industrial strategy due to be launched in the coming weeks.

This comes alongside reforms that give new powers to Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin to oversee a new Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) where he will formally command the individual service chiefs for the first time.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Our government is delivering the change we promised: cracking down on waste and boosting Britain’s defence industry.

“We will forge ‘One Defence’, which is clear in its goals and consistent in its methods, to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

“The world is more dangerous, with growing Russian aggression, conflict in the Middle East and increasing global threats.

“These vital reforms will make UK military decision-making faster, keep the country safer and achieve best value for taxpayers. This Government will strengthen UK defence to respond to increasing threats.”

Andy Start, defence equipment and support chief executive and the UK’s current national armaments director, said: “This fully fledged NAD role is a vitally important step towards transforming defence acquisition and the industrial base in the UK.

“This new role will have the levers needed to ensure our armed forces have the right kit and to deliver the defence industrial strategy we need for growth.

“We will work with industrial partners to embrace the One Defence approach so they can play their part in improvements that underpin national security and prosperity.”