Australian $35 billion French submarine contract is already nine months late - report

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's A$50 billion ($35 billion) submarine order with French shipbuilder Naval Group is running nine months late and the defence department cannot show that A$396 million already spent on the contract was effective, according to an audit report.

The submarines are at the centre of Australia's plan to expand its military and protect strategic and trade interests in the Asia-Pacific region. The first is due to be delivered in the early 2030s and the final vessel in the 2050s.