Colorado in Port for Major Maintenance

US submarine visit puts Stirling on track for AUKUS role

HMAS Stirling has taken another step towards becoming the home of AUKUS submarine rotations, with the arrival of the US Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine USS Colorado for a major maintenance period.

The visit is significant because USS Colorado is expected to return in late 2027 as the first submarine to begin operations under Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West), the AUKUS initiative that will see United States and United Kingdom submarines regularly operating from Western Australia.

Australian personnel are undertaking maintenance work on the Virginia-class submarine using locally designed equipment, upgraded facilities and infrastructure at HMAS Stirling. The work is intended to build Australia’s capability to support and sustain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines in the future.

The maintenance period will include Australian, US and UK personnel working together on a range of maintenance and training activities, including repairs aboard the submarine, testing locally manufactured components, and conducting radiation-safety exercises. No radioactive waste will be transferred ashore.

The work will also make use of the upgraded Diamantina Pier and newly developed Australian-made maintenance infrastructure, including specialised scaffolding designed to provide safe access around the vessel.

Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead said each maintenance period had seen a significant increase in the number of Australians involved, ranging from local industry workers to Navy personnel.

“Each visit sees a significant growth in the number of Australians supporting maintenance on visiting boats,” he said.

SRF-West is scheduled to commence in 2027 and is intended to develop the workforce, infrastructure and operational expertise needed to support Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability while strengthening defence cooperation between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.