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Australia has taken another major step towards developing a sovereign capability to operate and maintain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, with the arrival of USS Vermont at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
The US Navy Virginia Class submarine has docked for an extended submarine maintenance period (SMP), a complex package of work being coordinated and supported by Australian industry and Defence personnel in partnership with the United States under the AUKUS framework.
This marks the second time a nuclear-powered submarine has undergone maintenance on Australian soil, following last year’s submarine tendered maintenance period, but represents a far more demanding and self-sufficient operation.
Unlike the previous effort, the SMP is being conducted without a tender ship, placing greater responsibility on Australian personnel and demonstrating the country’s growing technical capacity.
Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency, said, “This visit strengthens our ability to operate and sustain nuclear-powered submarines in Australia and demonstrates the deep commitment of our AUKUS partners.”
“We are firmly on track to commence Submarine Rotational Force – West in 2027, accelerating Australia’s readiness to safely own, operate and maintain our first sovereign Virginia Class submarine in the early 2030s,” VADM Mead added.
The Vermont’s crew of 134 includes 13 Royal Australian Navy personnel, part of the first cohort to complete rigorous US nuclear submarine training. These sailors and officers are now applying their skills as part of the vessel’s operational and maintenance activities at Fleet Base West.
More than 20 Royal Australian Navy Fleet Support Unit personnel and eight clearance divers, who have been training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard since mid-2025, have also returned to Australia to participate in the SMP alongside US Navy and Royal Navy counterparts.
Australian industry is playing a crucial role, with ASC supporting key work streams including pier services, scaffolding and other logistics. Nineteen ASC international military students and two engineers from Raytheon and Thales trained at Pearl Harbor, contributing to the maintenance program furthering knowledge transfer and workforce upskilling ahead of the Submarine Rotational Force – West commencement in 2027.
VADM Mead said the maintenance period also provides a vital opportunity to test Australia’s nuclear stewardship systems, ensuring all safety, environmental and operational standards meet the high benchmarks of AUKUS partners.
“Training with and working alongside our AUKUS counterparts while testing our systems here in Australia strengthens our infrastructure, our workforce and our confidence,” he said.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond described the visit as a powerful demonstration of trust and cooperation among AUKUS partners, adding, “The arrival of USS Vermont at HMAS Stirling is another tangible example of the strength of the trilateral partnership between our navies. It reflects our shared commitment to maintaining a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
He also praised the Australian sailors embedded aboard Vermont for their professionalism and pioneering role in shaping the nation’s future submarine enterprise.
“I am immensely proud of the 13 Royal Australian Navy submariners who sailed into Fleet Base West as part of the Vermont’s crew. Their achievements show the progress we are making towards developing a sovereign nuclear-powered submarine capability,” VADM Hammond added.
The SMP forms a key part of the phased capability plan guiding Australia’s pathway to nuclear-powered submarine operations. It will inform readiness for initial operational support in 2027, when Submarine Rotational Force – West begins operating from HMAS Stirling.
Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their longstanding commitment to the safe, secure and responsible operation of nuclear-powered vessels, a principle underpinning seven decades of trusted naval cooperation.
With each milestone, Australia is moving closer to realising a sovereign, sustainable capability to operate the most advanced submarines in the world and to play a central role in upholding security across the Indo-Pacific.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
