The Australian Federal Police have been called to investigate a leak of highly classified information concerning the culling of Japan from the bid process to build Australia's next fleet of submarines.

Just days before Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to announce Adelaide as the site where the subs will be built, and possibly which company will build them, The Australian Financial Review has been told news about the Japanese being excluded has infuriated defence officials.

Sources said Defence Department secretary Dennis Richardson called in the AFP on Thursday following reports the competitive evaluation process was now between France's DCNS and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

The Australian Financial Review has been told news about the Japanese being excluded has infuriated defence officials. Department of Defence

Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had missed out on the $50 billion contract.

The reports follows a round of meetings this week by the national Security Committee of cabinet and an announcement next week which will be used to bolster the Coalition's electoral prospects in South Australia.