Australia prepares for U.S. submarines like Virginia

U.S. Navy formed two new command and support structures in Australia, preparing HMAS Stirling base to serve US and British nuclear-powered submarines. This is another practical step in implementing the AUKUS agreement, one of the most important objectives of which is to prepare Australia to have its own next generation submarine forces.

As reported on June 11, USNI News portal, a Submarine Squadron 3 (CSS-3) division was recreated at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, which previously operated in Hawaii. Parallelly on May 30, Naval Support Activity Stirling, responsible for supporting American soldiers, civil workers, contractors and their families associated with the Submarine Rotational Force-West program, was established.

HMAS Stirling as the facilities for AUKUS

HMAS Stirling is a Royal Australian Navy naval base located on Garden Island, off the coast of Western Australia, near Perth which is the capital of the state of Western Australia. Within AUKUS Its role is clearly growing, as that is where one of the main operating facilities of American and British submarines operating from Australia is to be established.

The Submarine Rotational Force-West is expected to start operations in 2027. In practice this means that in the Perth area they will rotate nuclear-powered submarines: one British and up to four American. These will not be ordinary port visits, but part of the construction of a permanent maintenance, renovation, logistics and training system.

At the same time, it should be noted that AUKUS is not limited to the purchase of ships by Australia. The plan first involves the acquisition of three U.S.-type Virginia Block IV submarines, followed by the acquisition of five SSN-AUKUS submarines. Only parallel preparation of infrastructure, personnel and industry is intended to allow Canberra to independently operate a fleet of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.

New squadron and repair facilities

Squadron CSS-3 will operate with HMAS Stirling and cooperate with Royal Australian Navy when operating U.S. and UK vessels. According to the U.S. Navy, this is intended to increase the flexibility of submarine forces in Indo-Pacific.

Parallelly in Western Australia, a separate Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility is to be established. Its task will be to carry out maintenance work on American submarines and to further train Australian specialists. According to data cited by USNI News, about 20 Australian civilian workers and 25 Royal Australian Navy divers and sailors have already completed training at Pearl Harbor, and more than 230 more remain in preparation.

British HMS Anson as System Test

The first clear test of Australian preparations was the British submarine HMS Anson in HMAS Stirling. This was the first case when a British nuclear-powered submarine underwent a planned renovation in Australia.

17 Australian companies were involved in the work, 34 local components were manufactured, and the Australian industry made more than 2500 man-hours. In addition, 620 hours of military personnel from three AUKUS states were recorded. A separate element was the use of advanced spare parts production by QinetiQ, which was to provide the necessary components within four weeks.

From Canberry's perspective, such projects are very practical. They allow you to check the procedures, train people, and incorporate local industry into the service of ships that will be the basis in the future Australian submarine forces.

Importance to the United States and Great Britain

For the United States and the United Kingdom, HMAS Stirling becomes a point of increasing operational importance. Keeping ships closer to the action areas shortens the road to Indo-Pacific and gives greater freedom to plan patrols.

Americans also hope that some of the maintenance work done in Australia will reduce the burden on their own repair yards. It's important because American shipbuilding He has been struggling for years with a tight schedule for the operation and construction of submarines.

In practice, therefore, AUKUS goes beyond the stage of political declarations. A system is being created covering the base, chain of command, technical support, staff training and participation of Australian industry. Without these elements, Australia will not be able to take responsibility for its own next generation submarines.