Australia to establish SRF-West in 2027 and acquire 3 in-service US Virginia Class submarines

The three nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarines will reportedly be acquired in lieu of a mixture of new and in-service VCS variants.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister and secretaries confirmed the finalisation of necessary arrangements for the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force - West in 2027. SRF-West is expected to directly support submarine deployments by expanding maintenance options and sustainment infrastructure in the region.

The development follows the authorised establishment of US Navy support elements for SRF-West and to begin rotating US Navy personnel to HMAS Stirling later this year.

Speaking to the media, US Secretary Hegseth confirmed that Australia can “count on” America to provide the submarines.

“I think they can, and that’s why we did the review the way that we did, is to bring in, sure that what we’re promising is aligned with what we’re able to do,” he said.

“Previous administrations have not put enough emphasis on our defence industrial base or shipbuilding industrial base, and our budget, which we believe we will, we will get, and we’re laser focused on making sure it happens, invests in American capabilities, American jobs that will deliver our ability to project those subs, but also provide inside this arrangement, but it’s mutually beneficial.

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“Those subs, obviously in the hands of Australia, are important for your defence, but they also add to the combined defence of what we would need to do. Heaven forbid there were a contingency.

“I think the meetings we had on AUKUS today, and other arrangements, especially in the Pacific, show that our alliance is as strong as it’s ever been.”

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.