American company shorlisted for Australian Navy ships

An American company linked to United States Vice-President Dick Cheney has been shortlisted for the logistic support management of four Australian Navy ships.

The Australian Defence Department said KBR (Kellog, Brown and Root) was one of three firms shortlisted to provide logistics for HMAS Kanimbla, HMAS Manoora, HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Success.

KBR, previously Halliburton KBR, is a subsidiary of the Houston, Texas-based, oil industry support firm Halliburton, of which Cheney was chief executive from 1995-2000.

Cheney left Halliburton in 2000 but reportedly retains stock and options in the firm.