Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon announced that he had appointed Michael Roche as the new Chair of the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance Principals’ Council.
The Council provides strategic oversight, governance and issue resolution for the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance and the Alliance Project Board.
Roche, an old defence acquisition hand, was formerly Under Secretary for Defence Materiel and has exceptional experience and a deep understanding of issues surrounding delivery of complex major Defence projects and this will be of particular value to his Principals Council role.
“I have discussed the Air Warfare Destroyer project with Mr Roche, and made it clear that I expect him to closely monitor the progress of the project and the AWD Alliance,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“It is one of the largest and most complex defence acquisition programs currently underway, and I expect Mr Roche to work closely with the other members of the Alliance Principal’s Council to ensure that it is kept on track.”
The Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance Principals Council comprises:
• Mr Michael Roche (Chair)
• Dr Stephen Gumley (CEO Defence Materiel Organisation)
• VADM Matt Tripovich AM CSC RAN, Chief Capability Development Group
• Mr John Prescott AC, Chairman ASC Pty Ltd
• Mr Dan Smith, President Integrated Defense Systems, Raytheon Company