Next defence chief Admiral Mark Hammond declares Navy ready for Middle East deployment

Australia’s incoming defence chief has declared the Navy he now commands can deploy a warship to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The Prime Minister on Monday confirmed that chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, would assume the military’s top job in July, while Lieutenant General Susan Coyle would become Australia’s first female service chief as the next head of Army.

Admiral Hammond will replace Admiral David Johnston who has served as Defence Chief since 2024, while Air Marshal Robert Chipman will continue to serve as Vice Chief of Defence.

Lt. Gen Coyle, who currently serves as Chief of Joint Capability, will replace Lt. Gen Simon Stuart who has commanded the Army since 2022, while Deputy Navy Chief Rear Admiral Matthew Paul Buckley, will take over from Admiral Hammond as Chief of Navy.

While unveiling the reshuffle of the military’s top ranks, the Prime Minister and Defence Minister praised General Coyle’s appointment as an “historic” moment as the Government prepares to also release its latest defence strategy later this week.

Anthony Albanese acknowledged Lt. Gen Coyle had first enlisted as a soldier in the Army reserves in 1987, before rising to the organisation’s top job.

“Lieutenant General Coyle will be the first woman in our nation’s history to command the Australian Army.”

“Lieutenant General Coyle has worked at the tactical, operational and strategic levels and in command roles, including head information warfare, commander forces command, commander joint task force 633, commander six brigade, commander task force - Afghanistan, and commanding officer 17th signal regiment,” Mr Albanese said.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Susan Coyle’s appointment was “a deeply historic moment, one that should be noted”.

“As Susan said to me, ‘You cannot be what you cannot see,” Mr Marles said in Canberra.

“And Susan’s achievement will be deeply significant to women who are serving in the Australian Defence Force today and women who are thinking about serving in the Australian Defence Force in the future.”

The Prime Minister also praised Admiral Hammond for his distinguished 40-year naval career, while Mr Marles said he had “been right at the heart” of the AUKUS plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, and had done an “incredible job” as navy chief since 2022.

The Albanese government is yet to announce who will take over as Defence Secretary, a position vacated earlier this month by Greg Moriarty after he was named Australia’s next ambassador to the United States.

Australia’s current Ambassador to China Scott Dewar is widely tipped to return to Defence as the next secretary, but former senior departmental official Rebecca Skinner is also believed to be in consideration for the role.

Royal Australian Air Force Chief, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, will remain in his position, while the Government is yet to announce Lt. General Coyle’s replacement as Chief of Joint Capabilities.

The incoming Defence Chief said his priority was to receive a proper handover from current CDF Admiral Johnston, but also declared the Navy could deploy a warship to aid US-led efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, if requested.

“We’ve got 10 surface combatants right now, eight of them are at sea today. The navy is as ready as it ever has been,” Vice Admiral Hammond told reporters, after being announced as the next CDF.

“They are fitted with one of the most advanced radars in the world … and some of the most advanced missile and point defence systems in the world. Are they capable of performing the mission as Admiral Johnstone said last week? Absolutely.”

“The question of contribution is one for consideration by the Australian Government should they receive a request and there’s been no such request as yet.”

Last week, Defence Chief David Johnston said he was confident Australian warships could be deployed to the dangerous region, if required.

“I have no hesitation in our ability to work in a Strait of Hormuz type role,” Admiral David Johnston said.