Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA) Australia has announced the promotion of Anthony Ween to National Lead – Defence & Analytics.
Ween brings more than 30 years’ experience across Defence, national security, operations analysis and capability decision support. He has built a career, having held senior roles at the Department of Defence and Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).
Ween has worked for SPA Australia for three years having previously served as Chief Analyst and Director – Integrated Force, Land and Air, where he led multidisciplinary teams delivering advanced modelling, analysis and decision support to government and Defence clients.
His work has supported complex force design, strategic planning and capability prioritisation decisions across some of Australia’s sensitive national security programs.
Ween has played a role in advancing Defence’s force design and prioritisation approaches, including contributing to the design and implementation of the One Defence Capability System.
He is also the inaugural industry lead for the Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Australian Defence Community of Practice and was awarded a Secretary and Chief of the Defence Force Commendation for his contribution to the First Principles Review implementation team.
SPA Australia Managing Director Zoe Lynam said Ween’s promotion reflected his deep expertise, leadership and longstanding contribution to the Defence and national security community.
“Anthony is one of Australia’s most respected defence analytics specialists, with an exceptional ability to translate complex problems into rigorous, evidence-based decision support,” Lynam said.
“We’re thrilled to appoint Anthony to lead our Defence & Analytics practice. His depth of experience across strategic planning, operations analysis, modelling and simulation, and capability development will continue to strengthen the trusted support we provide to government, particularly our Defence clients.
“In addition to his technical expertise, Anthony is recognised for his authenticity, sound judgement and ability to build high-performing teams and enduring client relationships.”
In his new role, Ween will lead SPA Australia’s growing Analytics portfolio, which delivers advanced modelling, analysis and decision support along with deep expertise across all defence domains from undersea, surface, land, air, space and cyber to joint enablers such as logistics, command and control and national support.
Integrating these specialty domain skills with military operations research, systems analysis and engineering helps to inform high-stakes government and Defence decision-making.
SPA Australia has continued to invest in growing Australia’s sovereign analytical capability, including establishing a purpose-built classified analytics laboratory equipped with specialist modelling and simulation tools to support Defence and government missions.
Ween said he was excited to lead the practice at a time of increasing demand for evidence-based analysis and strategic decision support.
“I’m proud to be stepping into the role of National Lead – Defence & Analytics and to work alongside such a talented team,” Ween said.
“Over the past three decades, I’ve had the opportunity to work across a range of Defence domains, from technology and simulation through to strategy and force design. What has remained constant is the importance of rigorous, objective analysis in supporting better decisions.”
“I’m looking forward to continuing to strengthen our analytics capability and helping deliver meaningful impact where it matters most.”
In 2025, SPA Australia joined forces with Proximity, and is a provider of integrated legal, commercial, consulting and analytics services to government.
The Analytics solution is specifically designed to solve complex challenges across Defence, national security and broader government sectors, leveraging sovereign capability backed by global experience and methodologies.
The business has worked with all major Commonwealth public sector agencies, including the Department of Defence, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Taxation Office, Department of Health, Disability & Ageing, Services Australia, and the Department of Social Services to name a few.
Ween commenced in the role in May 2026 and is based in Canberra.