A Vietnam veteran will soon take over as the head of the Royal Australian Navy.

He is RADM David Shackleton, currently the RAN head of capability development at Australian Defence Headquarters.

Defence Minister Mr John Moore announced that RADM Shackleton would be promoted to Vice Admiral and would replace VADM Don Chalmers as the Chief of Navy on July 3.

"The Chief of Navy is one of the most significant military appointments and I believe RADM Shackleton has the background and experience to provide strong and decisive leadership to the Navy in critical years ahead," Mr Moore said.

RADM Shackleton's previous appointments include the command of HMA ships DERWENT and BRISBANE. He saw service in HMAS PERTH during the Vietnam War.

In announcing the appointment, Mr Moore expressed his sincere appreciation for the efforts of VADM Chalmers during his past two years as CN.

"VADM Chalmers has served in the RAN with distinction, giving over 40 years of service to our country. In particular, VADM Chalmers' contribution as the Chief of Navy over the last two years in difficult and challenging circumstances must be acknowledged as being of high order," Mr Moore said.

RADM Shackleton was born in Leeds in 1948 and joined the RAN in 1966. He has served in ANZAC, STUART, SYDNEY, VAMPIRE, CURLEW, QUEENBOROUGH, MELBOURNE, PERTH (twice) and HOBART (twice.)

He did training in the US and did exchange aboard HMS ARIADNE.

He was promoted to commodore in 1993 and is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a graduate of the RAN and Joint Services Staff Colleges.

He was promoted to Rear Admiral in last July.

By Graham Davis