AUKUS Milestone: Seven Royal Australian Navy Enlisted Sailors Graduate from Nuclear Power School

GOOSE CREEK, South Carolina – A significant milestone for the AUKUS trilateral security partnership unfolded as 12 Royal Australian Navy personnel graduated from the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School at Joint Base Charleston-Naval Weapons Station on October 11. Among them were the first seven enlisted Australian sailors, marking their advanced training in naval nuclear propulsion alongside U.S. colleagues.

The training, which began in October 2023, equips these sailors to lead Australia’s efforts in establishing a nuclear-powered submarine fleet by the early 2030s. Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond highlighted the accomplishment, emphasizing its role in progressing towards operating their own submarines.

Adm. Bill Houston, Director of Naval Reactors, praised the graduates’ quality and dedication, underscoring the importance of such foundational experience for the Australian personnel embarking on nuclear submarine duties.

Post-graduation, the sailors will join the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston for hands-on learning focused on nuclear power plant operation. The Royal Australian Navy aims to prepare for operational autonomy of Virginia-class submarines in the years to come.

Currently, several Australian officers and sailors are integrated into the U.S. Navy’s nuclear pipeline, with some stationed on Virginia-class submarines. These training initiatives are crucial for Australia’s aspirations to field a sovereign SSN fleet.

Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, Director of AUKUS Integration, expressed confidence that the increasing numbers in both uniformed and civilian training pipelines will enable Australia to crew its first conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines by 2032.

The AUKUS partnership focuses on enhancing security, defense, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region. It serves as a testament to the collaborative commitment between Australia, the UK, and the USA, ensuring peace and strengthening industrial capabilities.

Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead of the Australian Submarine Agency noted the progress in Australia’s SSN capabilities, citing recent successes, including Australian involvement in maintenance work on a U.S. SSN in Australia. These advancements underline the effectiveness and strategic importance of the AUKUS alliance.