Air Marshal Harv Smyth appointed Chief of The Air Staff

Image courtesy RAF

The Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of the new Chief of the Air Staff.

Air Marshal Harv Smyth (above) will succeed Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton in August 2025. 

Air Marshal Harv Smyth joined the RAF in 1991 as a direct entrant and then spent 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor having flown hundreds of operational missions over Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since his promotion to Air Commodore in 2015, Air Marshal Smyth has held a range of command positions and is currently the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations.

The appointment comes at a transformative time for the RAF as it moves to warfighting readiness following the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, including the recent announcement that the UK will purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s nuclear mission as the government delivers greater security for working people through its Plan for Change.

The Chief of the Air Staff is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all Royal Air Force operations, people and capability. The position is accountable to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale as well as the development and sustainment of the RAF. 

John Healey MP, Defence Secretary, said: “I warmly congratulate Air Marshal Harv Smyth on his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff. His previous roles have equipped him well to lead the RAF in a crucial period of transformation for the force.

“Air Marshal Smyth has led a distinguished career to date. From spending 15 years as a frontline Harrier pilot and weapons instructor, to flying hundreds of operational missions from both land bases and aircraft carriers, to holding numerous vital command positions, he has served our nation loyally.”

“I would also like to recognise Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton’s superb leadership of the RAF over the last two years. I know he and Air Marshal Smyth will work together to deliver a landmark shift in our deterrence and defence.” 

The RAF is always globally deployed and ready to defend the nation. RAF pilots and aircrew are currently deployed on Operation SHADER to combat Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria, in Qatar as part of our joint Typhoon squadron, and in Eastern Europe as part of the NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission to deter Russia.

Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Incoming Chief of the Defence Staff Air, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Air Marshal Harv Smyth has been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff and I have every confidence that he will lead the Royal Air Force. 

“As I hand over to Air Marshal Smyth, I know that under his command the Royal Air Force will go from strength to strength and he will ensure that we are always ready to fly and fight. I wish him every success and look forward to working with him in leadership of our Armed Forces.” 

This announcement comes following Sir Rich Knighton’s promotion to Chief of the Defence Staff, a role he will take up in September.

Air Marshal Harv Smyth said: “I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the next Chief of the Air Staff at such an important time for the Royal Air Force. The Strategic Defence Review makes clear the need for us to rapidly evolve and modernise to meet current and future threats and I am enormously proud to lead the Service at such a crucial point in our history. 

“I take over from Sir Rich Knighton, who has achieved so much over the past two years, preparing the Royal Air Force for the challenges that we currently face and developing the operational mindset that we need, should we transition to conflict. I share in his unwavering support for our people and am delighted to have this opportunity to lead our Whole Force as we deliver outstanding Air and Space Power for the UK and NATO.”