Global Chair Richard Spencer Joins Latika Takes

Latika Takes: The Podcast | July 6, 2025

Richard Spencer, former Secretary of the US Navy and current Chairman of shipbuilder Austal Ltd and strategic adviser to Bondi Partners, joins Latika Takes: The Podcast.

He believes that US production of submarines can increase to the tempo needed in order to honour AUKUS within 12 months and does not think the Pentagon’s review is a ‘scrap review’.

But he says the Trump Administration will be noting the lack of transition of AUKUS from a political concept into action in Australia.

He says there’s great talking but little progress to get ‘dirt moving’ and the project needs more urgency.

On a conflict with China, he says the risk is an accidental incident, not a deliberate campaign.

Listen to the full audio here.