iscover
The US Navy SSN has docked in Fleet Base West as part of a regional deployment across the Indo-Pacific.
HMAS Stirling has welcomed the arrival of US Navy Virginia Class submarine, USS Mississippi, which has arrived in Australia as part of a routine visit, providing respite to crew members.
This is the latest of over 285 visits by both US and UK nuclear-powered submarines since 1960, which spent more than 1,840 total days in port.
The USS Mississippi’s arrival follows a visit by sister vessel USS Springfield in April.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles welcomed the vessel to Australian shores.
“I had the opportunity to tour the USS Mississippi as part of my visit to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii last month, alongside US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin,” he said.
“It is a pleasure to welcome the crew to Western Australia this week, for this routine visit.
“Their stay in WA will provide those on board with much needed respite as they continue to ensure a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
Chief of Navy, Admiral Mark Hammond, AM RAN, said the submarine’s arrival reflects the continued strength of bilateral defence ties between Australia and the United States.
“After a busy year operating with the US Navy across the Indo-Pacific, it’s a privilege to welcome our friends to Western Australia,” he said.
“We value every opportunity for our Navies to interact, train, and operate together. Australia and the United States have a proud history of working together in peace and war, it is a privilege to be able to support this enduring friendship.”
The Virginia Class SSN is a candidate for the Royal Australian Navy’s next-generation fleet, currently under consideration by the Nuclear Submarine Taskforce.
The UK’s Astute Class submarine is the other key contender.
The taskforce is due to hand down its recommendations in March next year, coinciding with the publication of findings from the Defence Strategic Review .
[Related: AUKUS members renew pledge to strengthen defence ties ]
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Defence Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Defence Connect as a preferred news source.