Rear Admiral Stephen Hughes, AM, CSC, RAN assumed his current role as Head Navy Capability in December 2022. He is responsible for identifying the needs and requirements of Navy’s future capabilities and for the development and delivery of these capabilities to the Fleet.

Rear Admiral Hughes joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1986. He has served as a warfare officer in Frigate and Destroyer class ships, including exchanges with the Canadian Navy and Commander US Seventh Fleet. He commanded the guided missile frigate HMAS Melbourne.

Shore postings included Director Navy Information Warfare, Director Capability Development in the Air Warfare Destroyer program, Director Joint Amphibious Capability Implementation Team, Director General Littoral Commander Surface Force and Head Intelligence Capability.

Rear Admiral Hughes is a graduate of ADFA and the Australian Defence College. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Business Studies in Project Management, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies.

Rear Admiral Hughes was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2023 Australia Day honours list ‘for exceptional service to the ADF in senior command and staff roles’.