Responsibilities
The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff deputises for the Chief of the Defence Staff and has responsibility for running the armed forces aspects of defence business, principally through the central staff. VCDS is responsible for: • Deputising for CDS (in particular as Military Strategic Commander) • Co-ordinating delivery of top-level decisions-making, implementation and monitoring progress • Leading senior military judgement for the future development of the armed forces including the definition and delivery for military capability requirements; and being capability sponsor for capital projects and programmes • Defence Board lead for military personnel and training (including Reserves) • Leading the preparation of the armed forces input to SDSRs • (with CDS) conduct of the military strategic dialogue ==List of Vice Chiefs of the Defence Staff==