Defence Minister Richard Marles has finalised changes to military leadership, including extending the term of current chief Angus Campbell for two years.
Defence Minister Richard Marles is working towards unveiling a holistic submarine solution by March that incorporates the preferred path for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines and their delivery, as well as options to avoid a capability gap.
Mr Marles said there were a lot of options on the table to avoid a capability gap with submarines, but would not be drawn on whether it was possible to have a nuclear-powered boat delivered by 2030, as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton suggested. Under the AUKUS partnership, an 18-month study was set in train to decide the best submarines to acquire for Australia, a process that is meant to conclude in March.Under the new government, that process will also look at options to avoid a capability gap between the ageing Collins class submarines and delivery of the first nuclear-powered boat, which includes the possibility of an interim conventional-powered submarine.
While unusual, it is not unprecedented for a chief of the Defence Force to have their term extended. Sir Angus Houston spent six years in the post.. General Campbell was overruled by former defence minister Mr Dutton on disciplinary matters.The new chief of the army is Major General Simon Stuart, who is the army’s current head of land capability. General Stuart followed the rare path of enlisting in the military as a recruit before being commissioned as an officer.