The preliminary findings on problems within Australia's defence capabilities will hit the minister's desk, but the findings are being held close to his chest.
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Defence Minister Richard Marles will receive the interim report for the government's defence strategic review this week but it will not be made public.
The review, conducted by former defence minister Stephen Smith and former defence force chief Angus Houston, had received 150 submissions as of October 24.
The strategic review is looking at the force's structure and preparedness to handle emerging challenges in the coming decades.
The department and minister will then use the report to determine the priorities for defence spending.
"It would be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcome or recommendations of the review," a spokeswoman for Mr Marles told AAP.
Mr Marles is expected to use a speech in a fortnight to outline key insights from the interim report.
The final report will be handed down in early 2023.
The review is running alongside consultations about which nuclear submarine option Australia will go with.
The first sub isn't slated to arrive until late next decade at the earliest.
But there has been chatter of Washington providing an off-the-shelf vessel by mid-2030 with fears of China's growing aggression.
Australian Associated Press
