Former Defence Secretary Tapped to Review ‘Toxic’ Culture at Australian Submarine Agency

A snap investigation into the Australian Submarine Agency, as the U.S. Navy seeks emergency funding for its submarine programme.

The Virginia-class attack submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) under construction at Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding in 2012. Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy

One of Australia’s most experienced former defence officials has been brought in to conduct an urgent review of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA).

The moves comes as the U.S. Navy asks Congress for approximately US$8.8 billion in emergency funding to cover unexpected “shortfalls” in its Virginia-class fast attack submarine program—the one supposed to produce the AUKUS subs.