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The Albanese government has appointed Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz as the next chief of joint capabilities, handing one of Defence’s most strategically important leadership roles to a senior air power and cyber operations specialist at the Australian Defence Force.
AVM Braz will replace incoming Chief of Army Susan Coyle and will assume the role in July 2026 following his promotion to Air Marshal. He is expected to serve a four-year term overseeing Defence’s rapidly expanding Joint Capabilities Group.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Defence, with the 2026 National Defence Strategy placing increased emphasis on cyber warfare, space operations, logistics resilience and integrated joint force operations across the Indo-Pacific.
AVM Braz brings almost four decades of experience across the Australian Defence Force and the Australian intelligence community, having joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1987.
Over the course of his career, he has held several senior operational and strategic appointments, including commander of the Australian Air Task Group in the Middle East, director-general of Military Strategic Commitments, deputy chief of Air Force and, most recently, Air Commander Australia.
He has also served in senior roles within the Australian Signals Directorate, reflecting the increasing overlap between traditional military operations, cyber warfare and national intelligence capabilities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said AVM Braz’s operational experience and strategic leadership made him well suited to lead one of Defence’s most critical capability organisations.
“Air Vice-Marshal Braz brings the experience, insight and leadership needed to deliver space and cyber power, national support, logistics and joint training,” Minister Marles said.
The Joint Capabilities Group has become one of the fastest-growing and most strategically significant elements within Defence. The organisation is responsible for delivering integrated support capabilities spanning cyber operations, space, logistics, national support functions and joint training systems that underpin ADF operations across all domains.
Its responsibilities have expanded significantly following the Defence Strategic Review and subsequent National Defence Strategy, both of which identified logistics resilience, sovereign space capability and cyber warfare as essential priorities for Australia’s future deterrence posture.
Under AVM Braz’s leadership, the group is expected to continue driving major investments into Defence logistics infrastructure, integrated digital networks and sovereign space and cyber capabilities designed to support long-range operations in contested environments.
Chief of the Defence Force David Johnston said AVM Braz’s background across Defence and intelligence organisations would strengthen the ADF’s ability to deliver the capability priorities outlined in the National Defence Strategy.
“His strong track record refining and developing military capability and empowering his people will enable Joint Capabilities Group to meet the capability priorities set out in the National Defence Strategy 2026,” ADML Johnston said.
The government also acknowledged the contribution of Lieutenant General Coyle during her tenure as chief of joint capabilities, praising her role in shaping the organisation during a period of significant strategic reform.
Her transition to chief of Army continues a broader reshaping of senior Defence leadership as the ADF adapts to what Defence planners increasingly describe as Australia’s most challenging strategic environment since the Second World War.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
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