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US Virginia Class submarine USS Hawaii has arrived at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia to commence a historic submarine tendered maintenance period.
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Personnel from the Royal Australian Navy and Australian industry will work with their United States counterparts to provide significant maintenance work at HMAS Stirling, in a significant milestone for the AUKUS partnership as USS Hawaii (SSN 776) joins US service ship USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in Western Australia.
In preparation for the submarine tendered maintenance period (STMP), over 30 Navy officers and sailors have been embedded as part of the crew of USS Emory S. Land since January 2024 to build the skills, knowledge, and experience in nuclear-powered submarine maintenance.
In addition to the Australian personnel as part of the crew of USS Emory S. Land, one of the Royal Australian Navy officers to graduate from the Submarine Officer Basic Course and naval nuclear training in the US is part of the crew of USS Hawaii.
Workers from ASC Pty Ltd, the sovereign sustainment partner, will be involved in providing support services and will also utilise the STMP to continue learning about SSN maintenance. The first cohort of ASC workers commenced direct training on the maintenance of Virginia Class submarines in June and will provide maintenance work in the future.
“The unique training Australian industry and Defence personnel are receiving at US and UK naval bases, shipyards, training facilities, and submarines is a great strength of the AUKUS partnership, and we are already seeing the training being applied right here in Australia,” Australian Submarine Agency Director-General Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead said.
“This submarine maintenance activity is another significant step forward in building Australia’s skills to safely operate and maintain our own sovereign conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.
“The STMP is also an important opportunity to measure the progress Australia and our AUKUS partners are making as we develop not just our workforce but also our infrastructure, our stewardship capabilities, and our supply chain.”
In the most practical demonstration of progress to implement the AUKUS pathway to date, Australian personnel will undertake hands-on learning and conduct and observe maintenance on Virginia Class submarine USS Hawaii alongside experienced US counterparts.
Port visits by US and UK SSNs, such as the STMP, are a vital part of building Australia’s capability and capacity to support maintenance on nuclear-powered submarines in the lead-up to Submarine Rotational Force - West (SRF-West) commencing in 2027.
The rotational presence of one UK Astute Class and up to four US Virginia Class submarines at HMAS Stirling as part of SRF-West will further accelerate Australia’s ability to be sovereign-ready to safely and securely own, operate, and maintain Australia’s future fleet of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.
Stewardship, safety, and security are priorities of Australia and its AUKUS partners and will be a focus of the STMP. The activity will further develop Australia’s technical knowledge of US radiological controls, waste processes, and emergency response capabilities. No radiological material will be transferred ashore in this maintenance period.
All work by Australian personnel as part of the STMP will be consistent with Australia’s domestic and international legal obligations, including non-proliferation obligations and commitments.
“The STMP is a historic moment for the Royal Australian Navy. This is a testament to the friendship and trust which has been built over decades between the Australian, UK, and US navies that underpins the AUKUS partnership,” Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said.
“The STMP is the AUKUS partnership in action. Working together, navy-to-navy, to share our knowledge, strengthen our skills, and keep our countries safe, secure, and strong.”
“I congratulate the Navy officers and sailors aboard USS Emory S. Land and USS Hawaii. I know that they will make the Navy, their families, and our countries proud.”
During World War II, the US Navy routinely conducted maintenance on US, UK, and Dutch submarines in Fremantle. The STMP marks the first time Australian personnel will directly participate in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine in Australia.
The STMP is a unique opportunity to demonstrate collective training in action and to strengthen interoperability between AUKUS partners.
