Australia's Chief Government Weapons Purchaser, Stephen Gumley, has announced the appointment of former UK-based Rolls-Royce submarine division chief, Steve Ludlum as the new CEO of Adelaide-based, government-owned ASC (formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation).
In addition to Mr Ludlum's appointment, Dr Gumley has also appointed former Austal executiv and general manager of systems, Kim Gillis, as the manager of the Collins-class submarine programme.
Mr Gillis will lead the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) in negotiations with ASC for a new through life support contract for the aging Collins-class submarines.
According to the Australian Financial Review, the appointment of Mr Gillis follows Defence Materiel Minister Greg Combet's elevation of the Collins-class submarines support contracts to the government's "number one defence project of concern".
Mr Combet said that ASC would need to get the maintenance of the Collins submarines right before it could expect to win part of the next generation submarine project.
ASC has a US$2.8 billion long-term through life support contract for the Collins-class submarines.
The Australian Government last week announced the US$33.5 billion price tag for the twelve new large conventional submarines.
