The government has taken the next step towards delivering Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, with the launch of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA).
With its official establishment on Saturday 1 July, the ASA will be responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of the nuclear-powered submarine program, Defence Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said in a joint statement.
The government has also announced the appointment of Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead as the Agency’s inaugural Director-General.
"As chief of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce, Vice Admiral Mead demonstrated his leadership and judgement in supporting the establishment of the pathway to acquire this critical capability through the AUKUS partnership," the Ministers said.
The ASA has over 350 staff from the Australian Defence Force and Australian Public Service, including many who have transitioned from the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce and others who have joined since the government’s announcement in March 2023. It is expected to almost double to more than 680 staff over the next year.
It will be headquartered in Canberra, with personnel located across the country and overseas in the United States and United Kingdom, working with communities, unions, industry and governments to deliver the nuclear-powered submarine program.
The ASA will be a statutory agency within the Defence portfolio and will report to the Minister for Defence.
"This is a significant day, marking our next step towards the acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, which is the single biggest investment in our defence capability in our history," Marles said.
"The Australian Submarine Agency will be critical in delivering a game-changing capability for the defence of Australia and security of our region.
“I congratulate Vice Admiral Mead on his appointment as inaugural Director-General and all members of the Agency for the work they have done to date, and the work they will do to deliver this capability and keep Australians safe.”
“The Australian Submarine Agency will be vital in developing the capability needed to operate our nuclear-powered submarines," Conroy added.
“Our acquisition of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines will generate 20,000 jobs for the Australian economy.
“The Agency will play a critical role not only in growing and developing the Australian industrial base to deliver conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, but will also strengthen our partnership with the US and the UK, to deliver a stronger, more secure Australia and Indo-Pacific region.”
“I am proud to be leading the Australian Submarine Agency and recognise the significance of the task ahead as we deliver Australia’s conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines," Director-General Australian Submarine Agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead said.
“This nation-building program will be the most transformative industrial and technical endeavour in our history.
“I am committed to continuing to work with our AUKUS partners and all Australian stakeholders to deliver Australia’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.”