According to a joint statement from the Ministry of Defence, the AUKUS alliance, comprising Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, has initiated a significant Submarine-Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
This operation marks a major step in Australia’s journey towards acquiring conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) under the AUKUS partnership.
The statement describes the STMP as a “historic milestone for the AUKUS partnership,” noting that this is the first time Australian personnel will be directly involved in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine on Australian soil.
Over the past year, Australian personnel have undergone extensive training provided by the U.S. and the UK to develop the skills needed to safely operate, maintain, and regulate this advanced submarine capability. The STMP continues this training, offering Australian personnel hands-on experience and observation opportunities during the maintenance period.
The operation also involves close collaboration between uniformed and civilian personnel from all three AUKUS nations. The statement highlights that this collaboration will help “set us on the trajectory to establish Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) and accelerate Australia’s efforts to be ‘sovereign ready’ to own and operate its own sovereign SSN capability.”
SRF-West will eventually include the rotational deployment of one UK Astute class and up to four U.S. Virginia class submarines at HMAS Stirling.
In addition, the STMP is designed to bolster Australia’s nuclear stewardship. The statement outlines that simulated training exercises will be conducted during this period to enhance Australia’s knowledge and implement a safety culture that ensures the highest level of protection for people, the public, and the environment.
The AUKUS partners are also committed to maintaining the highest standards of nuclear non-proliferation as they assist Australia in developing its SSN capability.
The statement asserts that “our navies are committed to reinforcing the same guiding principles within Australia that have allowed the United States and United Kingdom to safely operate nuclear-powered ships for nearly 70 years.”
The STMP is described as a foundational activity under the AUKUS partnership, aimed at strengthening defence capabilities, deterring aggression in the region, and upholding the rules-based international order.
My brother in law will be pleased. He supplies cooling towers…. Good new all round for the alliance.
When’s the earliest we could tow our Astutes to Australia for maintenance 😉 ?
Great we can tow our useless scrap down there in the hope it can be made usable again…