The former Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral (Rtd) David Shackleton AO, has joined Australian shipbuilder Austal as an advisor. Austal Executive Chairman Mr John Rothwell AO said Vice Admiral Shackleton will provide general strategic advice to Austal on Australian and international naval and defence industry opportunities including those expected to arise from the Australian Government’s recently announced A$10 billion naval shipbuilding program. “Vice Admiral Shackleton’s extensive knowledge and experience and contacts in relation to the Australian and foreign navies will significantly help Austal’s strategy to build on our defense shipbuilding success to date,” Mr Rothwell said. Vice Admiral Shackleton was Chief of Navy from July 1999 to July 2002.