International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has been named the first female defence secretary.
Her appointment, which is a promotion from her role as international development secretary, follows the sacking of Gavin Williamson.
She will retain the job of minister for women and equalities.
Williamson has been sacked by the prime minister over the leak of information from a National Security Council meeting about Huawei's involvement in the UK's 5G network.
Read more: Gavin Williamson sacked from government over Huawei leak
Ms Mordaunt did not support Theresa May for leadership, instead backing rival Andrea Leadsom instead.
But she was popular with right-wing Tories in her previous role as international development secretary.
Steve Turner, assistant general secretary of Unite, has said Ms Mourdant should take immediate action to make sure British warships are built in the UK.
Current prisons minister Rory Stewart will take over the international bevelopment brief.
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