UK Nuclear Submarine Marks New AUKUS Era In Western Australia
THE Royal Navy’s (RN) Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine HMS Anson arrived at Western Australia’s HMAS Stirling on February 22 for the first‑ever maintenance activity on a British nuclear‑powered submarine in Australia. With that, it marks a historic step in Australia’s readiness to operate and maintain conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines in a new era of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the United States, known as AUKUS.
Over the coming weeks, Australian personnel will work alongside partners from the UK and US on maintenance and familiarisation activities on the Astute-class submarine. Around 100 personnel will contribute to the UK Submarine Maintenance Period (UK SMP) including members of the Royal Navy, the UK Submarine Delivery Agency, Royal Australian Navy (RAN), ASC Pty Ltd, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
This builds on previous work completed on US Virginia-class submarines USS Vermont in 2025 and USS Hawaii in 2024, and strengthens the skills, systems and supply chains required for routine maintenance of nuclear‑powered submarines.
Participation in the UK SMP represents another significant milestone in the lead up to the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force–West at HMAS Stirling from 2027 and will further build Australia’s familiarity with UK-designed submarines as the nation prepares to begin construction of SSN-AUKUS in Adelaide by the end of the decade.
Two RAN officers have been embedded aboard HMS Anson, gaining invaluable operational experience on a conventionally-armed, nuclear‑powered submarine. More than 50 Australians are now embedded within the UK Defence Nuclear Enterprise, and the Royal Navy has provided offshore nuclear safety training to over 950 Australian Submarine Agency personnel.
The presence of HMS Anson also provides another opportunity to test and strengthen Australia’s nuclear stewardship systems, drawing on the world-leading safety practices of AUKUS partners. AUKUS will also see the development of cutting-edge advanced technologies to complement the submarine force. While HMS Anson is in Australia, the navies will conduct trials of innovative technologies, including an AUKUS developed AI algorithm aboard an Australian P-8 reconnaissance aircraft which is designed to collect and analyse undersea data.
During the HMS Anson visit, AUKUS partners will also undertake a combined AUKUS Pillar I and Pillar II activity, testing the interoperability of the Australian Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV) with the UK SSN, and assessing and enhancing AUKUS Pillar II anti-submarine warfare AI algorithms fitted to the RAAF P-8A Poseidon.
“Australia’s acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine capability will create jobs, strengthen our local industry and help keep Australians safe. This Submarine Maintenance Period is the latest demonstration of the continued momentum across all three partners to deliver AUKUS. Australia, the UK and the US will work together over the coming weeks on the maintenance of HMS Anson – developing our skills, systems and infrastructure as we prepare for Submarine Rotational Force–West to begin next year”, said Australian deputy prime minister and defence minister Richard Marles.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:RN, AUS DOD)