Chief of the Defence Staff's Closing Keynote at Land Warfare Conference 2026
24 June 202620 Minute Watch
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, gives the closing keynote address bringing an end to Day 2 of RUSI Land Warfare Conference 2026.
Our focus must be on building the armed forces that stop [war] starting. That means armed forces that our adversaries are scared of. In classic deterrence theory – that means armed forces that can demonstrably deny our adversaries the opportunity to achieve their aim. Armed forces that can impose sufficient costs on the enemy to change its behaviour. Armed forces that can deter, fight and win.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng,
Chief of the Defence Staff, His Majesty's Government
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