Fleet Commander
Ensign of the Royal Navy
Incumbent
Vice Admiral Andrew Burns
since 24 September 2021
Ministry of Defence
Royal Navy
Member ofAdmiralty Board, Navy Board, Navy Command
Reports toFirst Sea Lord
NominatorSecretary of State for Defence, on advice from the Defence Council
AppointerPrime Minister
Subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council
Term lengthNot fixed (typically 1–4 years)
Inaugural holderAdmiral George Zambellas
Formation2012

The Fleet Commander is a senior Royal Navy post, responsible for the operation, resourcing and training of the ships, submarines and aircraft, and personnel, of the Naval Service. The Vice-Admiral incumbent is required to provide ships, submarines and aircraft ready for operations, and is based at Navy Command Headquarters.

The post was created in April 2012 following a reorganisation of the Royal Navy and a re-designation of the former role of Commander-in-Chief Fleet.[1]

Responsibilities

The Fleet Commander's purpose is to provide ships, submarines and aircraft ready for any operations that the Government requires.[1]

The Fleet Commander's major subordinates included as of September 2020:[2]

The previous post of Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Training)/Flag Officer Sea Training[5] was disestablished in May-June 2020. It was superseded by Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training, and in the process the senior Sea Training officer was regraded downwards from a Rear Admiral to a Commodore.[6]

The British Army equivalent is Commander Field Army. The RAF's Deputy Commander (Operations) is the close equivalent of the two positions.[7]

List of Fleet Commanders

Fleet Commander

Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff[8]
Image Rank Name Term began Term ended
Admiral Sir George Zambellas[9] April 2012 December 2012
Vice Admiral Sir Philip Jones December 2012 February 2016
Fleet Commander and Chief Naval Warfare Officer[10]
Vice Admiral Ben Key[10] February 2016 March 2019
Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd[11] March 2019 September 2021
Vice Admiral Andrew Burns[12] September 2021

Deputy Fleet Commander

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Navy Board".
  2. ^ "How Defence Works Version 6.0 Sep2020" (PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. UK MOD. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020. page 28
  3. ^ "A real privilege to assume the role of Director Force Generation for the Royal Navy. I have the telescope!!".
  4. ^ "Freedom of Information Response" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Navy Command senior, as of April 2017 - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. MOD UK. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Who is the new Flag Officer Sea Training" (PDF). whatdotheyknow.com. Whatdotheyknow. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020. In response to your request, I can advise you that the title Flag Officer Sea Training will cease to exist on 1 May 2020 and is replaced by the 1* post of Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training
  7. ^ "Air Command senior, as of September 2012 - GOV.UK". assets.publishing.service.gov.uk.
  8. ^ "Navy Command senior, as of March 2014". Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  9. ^ Ups and outs: October 2012 Defence Viewpoints
  10. ^ a b "Royal Navy appoints new Fleet Commander". Royal Navy. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  11. ^ "Royal Navy Appoints New Senior Officers". Forces.net. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  12. ^ "Royal Navy appoints new Fleet Commander". Royal Navy. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  13. ^ Royal Navy’s Deputy Fleet Commander Visits UK Hydrographic Office Subsea World News, 30 July 2012
  14. ^ "Navy senior staff, March 2013".

External links

Admiralty Board
Navy Board
Navy Command (Ministry of Defence)
His Majesty's Naval Service
Category