Nomination of Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN as Chief of the Defence Force and Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley AM CSC RAN as Chief of Navy
The Australian Naval Institute welcomes today’s appointment of Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN as Chief of the Defence Force.
Vice Admiral Hammond has served as Chief of Navy since July 2022. In his nearly 40-year career he has served on the Collins class of submarines, commanding the HMAS Farncomb across the Indo-Pacific.
Vice Admiral Hammond has played a critical role overseeing work on the multibillion-dollar AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, one of Australia’s biggest defence projects.
The President of the ANI, Commodore Pete Leavy (RAN ret’d), in congratulating Vice Admiral Hammond, said it was pleasing to see someone with such a distinguished naval career and a thorough understanding of the importance of maritime power to Australia’s security and prosperity being appointed Chief of the Defence Force.
Commodore Leavy also congratulated Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley AM CSC RAN on his appointed as Chief of Navy to replace Vice Admiral Hammond and Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM, CSC, DSM as the next Chief of Army
The appointments will take place in July.
Rear Admiral Buckley has served in Oberon and Collins class submarines, including commanding HMAS Collins and commanding the Submarine Force. He was the Head of Nuclear Submarine Capability at the Australian Submarine Agency, before becoming Deputy Chief of Navy in January 2025.
The ANI also extended its sincere thanks to Admiral David Johnston AC RAN on his retirement as Chief of the Defence Force.
Vice Admiral Hammond is the Patron of the Australian Naval Institute and will be delivering the 2026 Vernon Parker Oration in Canberra on Tuesday 19 May 2026 at the ANI’s Annual Dinner. For details and bookings: https://navalinstitute.com.au/events/major-events/
