AUKUS partners take next steps towards Submarine Rotational Force-West

The US Navy has announced it will begin support activities for the Submarine Rotational Force‑West (SRF-West). US personnel will begin rotating to HMAS Stirling, in Western Australia, later this year.

As part of this process, the USN will re-establish US Submarine Squadron 3 to oversee the operation of US nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) rotating from HMAS Stirling in support of SRF‑West. Submarine Squadron 3 will work alongside Australian and UK personnel to lay the groundwork for Australia’s own maintenance, logistics, and operational support of Australia’s sovereign controlled and operated SSNs, says the Australian Department of Defence.

It will establish a Lead Maintenance Activity in WA from mid-2026 to support the maintenance of US submarines assigned to SRF-West, and provide ongoing valuable training to Australia’s workforce.

And it will establish Naval Support Activity Stirling, which will grow in the coming months to deliver support services and programs for US personnel, contractors, and their families rotating as part of SRF-West.

The Australian Department of Defence is investing up to $8 billion to expand HMAS Stirling to accommodate nuclear-powered submarines. Defence and the Australian Submarine Agency will work with the US to ensure its personnel can seamlessly integrate into the WA community, minimising impact, including on housing, transport, and healthcare.

SRF-West will significantly develop Australia’s ability to operate, maintain and safely steward the RAN’s future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. It will also strengthen the skills, systems and supply chains required to build and maintain Australian submarines.