The USS Colorado (SSN 788) has arrived at HMAS Stirling for the latest United States Submarine Maintenance Period (SMP), marking another significant milestone in Australia’s preparations for Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West).
Tuesday’s arrival follows the announcement by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States that USS Colorado will become the first submarine assigned to SRF-West which commences in Western Australia in late 2027.
This SMP will see almost 60 Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) workers supporting maintenance activities on USS Colorado, including more than 30 graduates of specialised training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. They will work alongside United States Navy personnel, specially trained Royal Australian Navy divers and Australian sailors embedded within the Virginia-class submarine force.
Royal Australian Navy Commander Fleet Base West, Commodore Paul Johnson, said the announcement demonstrated the tangible progress being made under AUKUS and Australia’s Optimal Pathway to acquire conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
‘The announcement that USS Colorado will return as the first U.S. submarine to commence SRF-West from late 2027 is the clearest signal yet that AUKUS is on track and becoming a reality,’ said Commodore Johnson.
‘This submarine maintenance period forms part of a deliberate program to develop the workforce, infrastructure and expertise required to operate and sustain nuclear-powered submarines in Australia.’
The maintenance period is the latest in a series of progressively more complex activities designed to prepare Australia to support the rotational presence of up to four United States nuclear-powered submarines under SRF-West.
Each maintenance period has expanded the role of Australian personnel and industry, building sovereign capability while strengthening interoperability with Australia’s AUKUS partners.
‘We now have fully trained and qualified Australian workers conducting maintenance on operational U.S. Virginia-class submarines,’ said Commodore Johnson.
‘Around 15 Western Australian businesses are directly supporting ASC during this maintenance period.’
Representing the United States at the SMP was Rear Admiral Chris Cavanaugh, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, who said the work underway at HMAS Stirling highlighted Australia’s increasing readiness for SRF-West.
‘Establishing Submarine Rotational Force-West involves much more than bringing submarines to Australia,’ said Rear Admiral Cavanaugh.
‘It requires developing the people, skills, infrastructure and support systems needed to safely and effectively operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.’
He said Australian workers were already making a valuable contribution to the program.
‘Approximately three dozen ASC personnel who recently completed training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard will work alongside U.S. counterparts during this maintenance period. Their experience represents an important step in developing Australia’s sovereign sustainment capability.
‘This is what tangible AUKUS progress looks like: submarines alongside the pier, Australian workers applying skills learned in American shipyards, and increasingly complex maintenance safely conducted in Western Australia.’
USS Colorado is the sixth nuclear-powered attack submarine to visit HMAS Stirling since the announcement of the Optimal Pathway and the third U.S. submarine to undergo a maintenance period in Australia.
The maintenance work will utilise upgraded infrastructure at HMAS Stirling, including Diamantina Pier, supporting preparations for SRF-West operations.
The United Kingdom is also contributing to the maintenance period, reflecting the trilateral nature of the AUKUS partnership. Consul-General of the United Kingdom 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,’ said Ms Rennie. ‘British personnel are working alongside their Australian and American counterparts in supporting the sustainment activities here in HMAS Stirling.’
The visiting crew will participate in a range of community activities across Western Australia throughout the maintenance period, helping to strengthen ties between local communities and the sailors who will form part of SRF-West from late 2027.
New accommodation facilities at HMAS Stirling will support housing requirements for SRF-West, along with Defence Housing Australia adding to overall housing stock levels through new builds and developments.
The growing presence of U.S. and UK personnel, combined with increasingly advanced maintenance activities, reflects the steady progress being made towards Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability.
As preparations continue, Commodore Johnson said Western Australia remains central to Australia’s submarine future.
‘Western Australia is not simply where Australia will develop the skills and experience needed to operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines; it is the powerhouse of that opportunity,” he said.
‘USS Colorado’s visit is a key milestone in Australia’s Optimal Pathway.’
