The U.S. Navy submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) has docked at HMAS Stirling in Australia, initiating a Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) as part of the AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The port visit, which began on August 16, 2024, is the seventh in Australia since the ship departed from Guam earlier this year.
During this period, Australian technicians will undertake maintenance on a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine (SSN) scheduled to arrive for a port visit.
The STMP is part of Australia’s ongoing efforts to prepare for operating and maintaining a fleet of conventionally armed SSNs, a key component of Pillar 1 of the AUKUS agreement.
“Our knowledge exchange with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Fleet Support Unit (FSU) since January has been exceptionally productive,” said Capt. Brent Spillner, commanding officer of the Emory S. Land. “Within weeks they were working shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. technicians on real submarine repairs, and for the last six weeks we’ve had a team of U.S. Sailors embedded in the FSU West workshops at HMAS Stirling.”
More than 30 Australian sailors will perform most of the planned maintenance under U.S. supervision, including replacing a mast in the submarine’s sail and a key hydraulic valve, as well as simulating the removal of a large pump from within the boat.
“This STMP marks the first time that Australian workers will perform maintenance on an American SSN in Australian waters, but it’s really just the next step in a long partnership,” Spillner added. This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish Submarine Rotational Force – West, where U.S. and UK submarines will regularly transit through HMAS Stirling, with maintenance and logistics support from Australian personnel.
The deployment of the Emory S. Land has also allowed sailors from the three AUKUS nations to work together on various vessels, enhancing interoperability. “The ability to work side-by-side in Guam on U.S. SSNs and then continue that side-by-side work on RAN vessels and even a Royal Navy vessel while in Australia has truly demonstrated our interoperability,” said Cmdr. Derek Fletcher, repair officer aboard Emory S. Land.
In addition to maintenance activities, U.S. Sailors have participated in numerous community relations events across several Australian cities, contributing over 700 hours of service. As part of the AUKUS partnership, the UK plans to operate and base an Astute-class submarine in Australia later this decade.
Having one Astute class permanently based in Australia could actually go some way to reducing pressure on the fleet. 6 boats left to cover the Atlantic and Mediterranean seems adequate under current circumstances.
Much will depend on the level of maintenance that can be done in Perth and how often an SSN will need to be rotated.
The combined British and American force in Perth should represent the strongest naval force in the Indian Ocean by some way once fully deployed.
Hi Jim, Your probably aware that I’m somewhat enthusiastic about AUKUS in general and the specific benefits it brings to the U.K Naval Nuclear Industry. So I don’t see too many issues with carrying out a rotational deployment to forward base in Perth. I actually think it is a very good idea as it demonstrates commitment to our Allies, ticks the pivot East box and most importantly of all gives 1SL a Big stick to beat the Treasury into funding the 10 SSN force that he wants. The main issue I can see is that unless someone tells me that… Read more »
As part of AUKUS Australia is required to have a dry dock in place by 2032 they have allocated $4.2 billion to build it but a location has not yet been decided and the budget may not be enough. It’s described as being able to conduct depot level maintenance. It’s most likely to be in Henderson outside Perth. Given the maintenance backlog for both US and UK boats this should be a top priority. I am hoping the facilities in Perth can be sufficient to allow multi year deployments of a British SSN as opposed to a 6 month rotation… Read more »
Having one Astute anywhere at the moment would be good ! You do know what is happening with these boats I assume ?
Yes, maintenance backlog primarily due to the failure of the ship lift and the difficulty in sourcing new ropes. Hopefully things will get better soon.
The problem with Perth is competition for skilled workers with the mining and resource extraction industries which pay a lot more; particularly during the periodic booms in iron ore demand.
100%
The mining companies set up shop outside the dockyard gates and as the RAN engineers leave, they get accosted with promises of rockstar wages and bonuses and not having to go to sea.
Many take it.
O.T. I read on BBC yesteday that the PRC has passed a law so any Taiwanese supporting/advocating for independance(the current status quo since 1949 if not before the creation of the CCP) can be prosecuted for treason with life imprisonment or the death sentence. Any Taiwanese working/living in the PRC can be arrested & prosecuted(c177,000, down from 400,000 a few years ago) & as the PRC considers all Taiwanese as PRC citizens, they too could be prosecuted. Similar playbook to how they cracked down on HK protesters & a chilling insight into the repression awaiting if the CCP does invade… Read more »
Having such a small fleet of SSNs, it’s ludicrous for RN boats to be on the other side of the planet. That goes for the surface fleet as well.
And even if you have one submarine or 7 submarines, when the invasion fleet is 2000 ships strong, is this a serious answer? Remember that as soon as the submarine as made a shot, be it a torpedoes or a missile, it becomes a pray. It cannot easily evade tracking ships. The whole idea behind 6 or 7 Australian sub is simply not enough. The real answer is to be able to sink enemy fleet with a large strike force that may include decoys, large quantity of missiles an bombs. This would be so much more serious..
A submarine doesn’t become ‘known’ when it sinks a ship. Modern heavyweight torpedoes have an insane engagement range now.
It turns into area denial like the Falklands. “don’t go over there, confirmed shark in the water”
I guess it depends of anti-submarine capabilities. I am not sure the one from Argentina in the falklands can be compared with those of China 2027.
The only reason to have nuclear boats is to be able to deploy them anywhere you want at any time. If you don’t think we should be deployed on the other side of the world in support of a sibling nation, should we stick to diesel boats in paddling pools?
With 6 out of 7 of our boats in maintenence of some sort I,m interested in hiw this will work . We need more boats to be able to do this succesfully . We cant deploy subs on carrier support , carry out patrols nearer to home and deploy 1 permanently to the indian ocean .
By 2027 we will have all 7 Astutes in service, and regardless of what anyone thinks we are Treaty bound to forward deploy one to Australia. Not doing so would be Diplomatic and Industrial suicide !