Another step closer to Submarine Rotational Force – West

Together with its AUKUS partners, the RAN has the responsibility for coordinating, supporting and delivering a significant package of maintenance work on the US Navy Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine USS Vermont. She arrived at Fleet Base West at HMAS Stirling near Fremantle in late-October for a planned Submarine Maintenance Period (SMP).

USS Vermont includes 13 Royal Australian Navy personnel in the crew of 134. These are from the cohort of officers and sailors that have completed the rigorous nuclear and submarine training in the US.

The SMP builds on last year’s milestone, when Australian personnel participated in the first-ever maintenance of a US conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine on home soil during the 2024 Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period, saud Defence in statement.

This year’s SMP involves a larger and more complex package of work that more closely reflects the type of maintenance that will be required when Submarine Rotational Force – West begins operations at HMAS Stirling in 2027.

Unlike the previous maintenance period, this year’s work is being carried out without a tender ship – meaning Australian personnel are taking on even greater responsibility for executing complex maintenance activities on site. This will be a significant achievement and a reflection of the progress in upskilling the Australian workforce.

“I can’t overstate the value of training and working with AUKUS counterparts, and applying that training at our base while testing our infrastructure and systems,” said VADM Jonathan Mead AO, RAN, Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency.  “It strengthens our ability to operate and sustain nuclear-powered submarines in Australia. This visit also demonstrates the deep commitment of our AUKUS partners to supporting Australia’s future submarine capability.

“Australia is firmly on track to commence Submarine Rotational Force – West in 2027 which will further accelerate Australia becoming sovereign ready to safely own, operate and maintain our first sovereign Virginia class submarine from the early 2030s.”

Working alongside US personnel from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF), 19 ASC International Military Students and a further two from Raytheon and Thales are currently being trained at PHNSY & IMF.

They have returned to Australia for the SMP to help deliver the majority of the maintenance effort. This will contribute to sovereign technical uplift and facilitating knowledge transfer in line with an agreed phased capability plan leading up to the 2027 Initial Operational Support (IOS) milestone with the commencement of Submarine Rotational Force – West.

To further assist with the SMP, 22 Royal Australian Navy Fleet Support Unit personnel have also been training at the Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard since June 2025, along with eight Royal Australian Navy clearance divers who will work alongside PHNSY Divers throughout the SMP.

The visit of USS Vermont is not only a practical training opportunity, it is also a critical moment to test and strengthen Australia’s nuclear stewardship systems, drawing on the deep operational experience and world-leading safety standards of our AUKUS partners.