AUKUS Commences Submarine Maintenance In Australia

Today, AUKUS nations will commence the Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. This is a historic milestone for the AUKUS partnership, which promotes stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

Over the last year, Australian personnel have undergone training provided by the U.S. and the UK to understand how to safely operate, maintain and regulate Australia’s future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) capability, to be delivered under AUKUS.

Continuing this training, the STMP is a significant step in Australia’s acquisition of SSNs, marking the first time Australian personnel will directly participate in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine in Australia. Building on the success of earlier U.S. SSN visits, Australian personnel will undertake hands-on learning and observe a range of activities during the STMP.

Through this activity, uniformed and civilian personnel from our three nations will work together to transfer knowledge and skills necessary to set us on the trajectory to establish Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) and accelerate Australia’s efforts to be ‘sovereign ready’ to own and operate its own sovereign SSN capability. SRF-West will involve the rotational presence of one UK Astute class and up to four U.S. Virginia class submarines at HMAS Stirling.

To read more, visit the UK's government website.