In June 2004, the Government announced the establishment of a dedicated military officer, known as the Defence Materiel Advocate (DMA), of star-rank to help promote Australian defence industry exports and provide the linkage to operational experience. This initiative recognizes the need to provide more continuity in “service oriented”, military user support to Australian defence industry export efforts.
Major General Jim Molan was appointed to this exciting new position on 8 August 2005. Major General Molan comes with a wealth of experience including appointments to Army Headquarters and Headquarters Australian Defence Force in the fields of Combat Development and Industrial Relations. In 1998 and 1999 he was Head of the Australian Defence Staff – Jakarta and has most recently returned from a twelve month appointment in the Middle East as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Operations, Multinational Force – Iraq at the Coalition headquarters in Baghdad.
The DMA will work closely with DMO Head Industry Division in developing strategies and tactics for global engagement of Australian defence industry. The DMA’s primary role will be to implement DMO global engagement initiatives and work with the DMO Systems Divisions and the Industry Division to project industry capability into the market place. It will also involve working in partnership with industry and in harmony with Austrade and other government agencies to win sales overseas. |
