A former US admiral, who has previously chaired Australia's expert shipbuilding advisory panel, has been handed a new job leading another review of the navy's warship fleet to ensure it "complements" the new AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.
Retired US Vice Admiral William H Hilarides will conduct the fresh analysis with Australia's former finance secretary Rosemary Huxtable, and former Australian fleet commander, retired Vice-Admiral Stuart Mayer.
The latest study is a recommendation from the Defence Strategic Review (DSR), with the Albanese government insisting the "independent" work will be "short and sharp" and its findings delivered before the end of the year.
