Submarine awaits her historic role

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have marked another significant milestone in the AUKUS optimal pathway with the arrival of USS Colorado at HMAS Stirling.

The Virginia-class submarine is in Western Australia for a planned maintenance period that will further develop Australia's ability to sustain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, strengthening preparations for the commencement of Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) in 2027.

During the visit, Australian personnel will conduct increasingly complex maintenance activities alongside their US and UK counterparts while continuing to build the workforce, infrastructure and technical expertise needed to support Australia's future sovereign nuclear-powered submarine capability.

Commander Fleet Base West CDRE Paul Johnson said the arrival of Colorado represented tangible progress towards the establishment of SRF-West.

“Recently, we welcomed the announcement that this Virginia-class submarine, the USS Colorado, will return and become the first US submarine to commence submarine rotation force west from late 2027,” CDRE Johnson said.

“This is the clearest signal that we are on track, of how much progress has been made and how very real AUKUS now is.

“Colorado is here for a period of maintenance designed to further strengthen and test our skills, our systems, workforce and industry required to support the sustainment of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines by Australians.”

RADM Chris Cavanaugh, Commander Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet, said USS Colorado's future assignment to SRF-West highlighted the continued momentum behind AUKUS Pillar I.

“Colorado's return in late 2027 will formally establish SRF-West, marking a major milestone in Australia's pathway to acquiring a conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine capability," RADM Cavanaugh said.

“We're not simply maintaining submarines here in Australia, we're building a sovereign Australian capability that will endure for generations.”

The UK is also contributing to the maintenance period, reflecting the trilateral nature of the AUKUS partnership.

Consul-General of the UK in Western Australia, Maria Rennie, said the activity demonstrated the progress already being achieved by the three nations.

“Here in Western Australia, we have witnessed the practical implementation of a genuinely trilateral endeavour,” Ms Rennie said.

“British personnel are working alongside their Australian and American counterparts in supporting the sustainment activities here in HMAS Stirling.

“For the UK, AUKUS remains one of the most strategic partnerships of our generation.”

The maintenance period is the fourth conducted at HMAS Stirling since 2024 and will involve Australian personnel undertaking maintenance activities on an operational US Navy Virginia-class submarine using Australian-designed infrastructure, equipment and upgraded port facilities.

USS Colorado's visit builds on previous submarine maintenance periods conducted on USS Hawaii, USS Vermont and HMS Anson.