13 December 2023
Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts officially handed over command of Defence Space Command to Major General Greg Novak this week, recognising the wealth of experience he will bring to the role, particularly in strategy, security and deterrence.
“Major General Novak has extensive operational and space experience locally and overseas, commanding deployed forces and working with United States Strategic Command in strategic deterrence, space - as an operational domain - and integrated global operations,” Air Vice-Marshal Roberts said.
As the ADF’s first Defence Space Commander, Air Vice-Marshal Roberts set the foundation for Defence Space Command being part of the integrated force. The handover comes as the ‘foundation’ stage of the Defence Space Strategy is completed and the ‘evolve’ stage begins.
“Serving as the inaugural Defence Space Commander has been a privilege. I’m most proud of the progress we have made in defining a whole new space career pathway, with our budding and talented space workforce being able to be recognised as space professionals,” Air Vice-Marshal Roberts said.
“I am pleased with the progress we have made in delivering on the lines of effort in the Defence Space Strategy and recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review (DSR).”
She highlighted the establishment of a command headquarters -1 Space Surveillance Unit - as its first operational unit, and a Theatre Joint Force Space Component in Headquarters Joint Operations Command.
“We are also well on the way to developing a resilient space architecture with our international and industry partners,” she said.
Air Vice-Marshal Roberts said the DSR had enabled Defence Space Command to accelerate workforce priorities.
“We are now on the cusp of ADF personnel being able to opt in to a career in space. This will allow people, regardless of their service, to build deep professional mastery in their chosen field through education, experience and exposure,” she said.
“I would like to thank all of you who have been part of this journey so far and for everything you have given to make Defence Space Command what it is today.
“I confidently hand over to Major General Novak, who will lead the command through the evolve stage, and continue to oversee implementation of DSR space priorities.”
'Defence Space Command is uniquely positioned to shape space power for the ADF’s integrated force now and into the future.'
Major General Novak leaves his post as commander of the Australian Army’s 6th Brigade, where he was responsible for enabling the integrated force through specialised intelligence, electronic warfare, military policing, ground-based air defence and force-level engineering effects.
“After an extremely rewarding two years at 6th Brigade, there’s nowhere in Defence I’d rather be than here in Defence Space Command. It’s a young command with important work to do and a clear strategy to get after it,” Major General Novak said.
“Defence Space Command is uniquely positioned to shape space power for the ADF’s integrated force now and into the future.
“We’ve got great people working alongside like-minded space counterparts from Defence, government, industry, academia and our international partners. Together, we’re all going to be working hard to operationalise, modernise and maximise space power for the ADF and Australia."
He congratulated Air Vice-Marshal Roberts and her team on establishing the command.
“I’m looking forward to building on the strong foundation that’s been laid and continuing to take Defence Space Command forward during my tenure,” he said.
