In recent years, few figures have been as closely involved in the decisions that have redefined the balance of international security as Admiral Sir Tony Radakin. The man who led the UK Armed Forces through one of the most turbulent periods in their recent history will be a special guest at ExpoNaval 2026, taking place from December 1st to 3rd at Espacio Riesco. There, he will share the experience he gained at the helm of Europe’s leading naval power in a context marked by the war in Ukraine, strategic competition between major powers, and the rapid technological transformation of maritime defense.

When he assumed the role of Chief of the Defence Staff in December 2021, Radakin broke a tradition of more than two decades: for the first time since the beginning of the century, the top British military leadership was held by an officer trained in the Royal Navy. His tenure coincided with an exceptionally complex period for the country, marked by four prime ministers, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the start of the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

His debut in command was linked precisely to the beginning of that crisis. Weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he traveled to Moscow to meet with his Russian counterpart and warn about the growing concentration of troops on the border. Once the offensive began, he went on to play a central role in coordinating Western support for Kyiv. Known among Ukrainian authorities simply as “the Admiral,” he built a close relationship of trust with President Volodymyr Zelensky and the country’s military leadership, facilitating coordination between London, Washington, Brussels, and Paris, as well as promoting the expansion of the British training program for Ukrainian forces.

His career, however, extends far beyond the war in Eastern Europe. Born in Oldham and raised in Bristol, Radakin graduated from the University of Southampton with a law degree and completed a master’s degree in International Relations and Defence Studies before embarking, in 1990, on a career that saw him participate in some of the most significant conflicts of recent decades. He served during the so-called Tanker War in the Persian Gulf, participated in NATO missions in the Adriatic, combated smuggling in Hong Kong and the Caribbean, and commanded British units in three operational deployments to Iraq.

This operational experience was later reflected in his tenure as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, between 2019 and 2021. In this role, he spearheaded a profound modernization of the Royal Navy, strengthened Britain’s presence at sea, and promoted an ambitious shipbuilding program. He also played a decisive role in the creation of AUKUS, the strategic alliance between the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States that transformed the landscape of military and technological cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Recognized by his peers as a reformer, Radakin promoted the accelerated adaptation of the British Armed Forces to a scenario of constant competition. During his tenure, he prioritized the development of deterrence capabilities, the incorporation of unmanned systems and new technologies, and supported the gradual increase in defense spending to meet the British commitment to allocate 5% of GDP to defense and security by 2035. His influence also extended beyond the operational sphere. He was one of the main facilitators of military dialogue with the Gulf states and, in 2025, led a private meeting with the top brass of the Chinese Armed Forces, considered a milestone in military relations between the two countries.

Sir Tony Radakin’s presence at ExpoNaval 2026 will offer the Latin American maritime, port, and defense community the opportunity to hear firsthand from one of the strategists who has participated in the most consequential decisions regarding contemporary global security. His vision on the future of naval power, the impact of new technologies, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the value of international alliances promises to be one of the highlights of the next edition of the region’s leading naval and maritime event.

Topics of Global Importance

Sir Radakin will be the guest speaker at the opening of the ExpoNaval Congress, which will address topics such as the emergence of autonomous technologies at sea, the modernization of naval forces, shipbuilding plans, and development opportunities for the naval industry in the region.

On Wednesday, December 2, the academic program will open with a keynote address by the Minister of National Defense, Fernando Barros, and a lecture by Sir Tony Radakin. This will be followed by three panel discussions. The first panel, from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM, will be moderated by Marcelo Masalleras and is titled “Industrial Lessons from Contemporary Conflicts.” It will address the use of naval drones, unmanned maritime systems, munitions, and supply chains in current conflicts.
Following that, at 10:45 AM, Dr. John Griffiths will moderate a panel of significant local interest entitled “Defense Industry and Strategic Autonomy in Chile,” which aims to evaluate the current state and future prospects of the national defense industry.

The final panel of the program will be “Shipbuilding – Comparative Models,” starting at 11:45 AM and continuing until 1:00 PM. It will be moderated by Matías Purcell and will cover technology transfer, offsetting and financing, development of local suppliers, and naval export strategies.