Launch of the Australian Submarine Agency
1 July 23
The Albanese 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 today, the ASA will be responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of the nuclear-powered submarine program.
The Albanese Government is pleased to announce 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 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, drawing on a diverse skillset required to deliver this significant endeavour.
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.
Source: Defence Press Release