USS Minnesota (SSN 783) Strengthens AUKUS Ties with Strategic Stop at HMAS Stirling

Progress towards establishing Australia’s sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine force took a significant step forward with the port visit of USS Minnesota (SSN 783) to HMAS Stirling. This visit is part of the broader Submarine Command Course, designed to train naval officers for submarine command. The U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy are using this opportunity to exchange and refine practices, including weapons handling.

Commander Jeffrey “J.” Cornielle of the USS Minnesota emphasized the continuity of U.S. Navy visits to Australia, highlighting how these interactions further the ambition to establish a robust Australian submarine capability. The forthcoming Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West), expected to be operational by late 2027, is a pivotal component in this grand strategy.

As outlined in the AUKUS Pillar I Optimal Pathway, Australia aims to acquire a sovereign nuclear-powered submarine fleet. Phase 1, commencing in 2027, will see up to five attack submarines, including one from the U.K., operational at HMAS Stirling. This phase intensifies focus on infrastructure and skill development necessary for an independent Australian submarine force.

Phase 2 envisions the delivery of Virginia-class submarines from the U.S. in the early 2030s, followed by Phase 3, which involves the introduction of the joint U.K.-Australia SSN-AUKUS submarines in the 2040s. These initiatives embody the United States’ commitment to enhancing maritime capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, as stated by Siriana Nair, U.S. Consul General in Perth.

To date, USS Minnesota is the fourth submarine to engage in AUKUS-specific activities at HMAS Stirling. This ongoing collaboration underpins skill development for Australian military personnel and infrastructure improvement. Capt. Ryan McCrillis noted that the efforts of Australian trainees in Pearl Harbor are crucial to advancing both nations’ defense readiness.

Upcoming port visits will focus on comprehensive maintenance activities, reinforcing the urgency of Australia’s objective to establish SRF-West. Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck highlighted the critical nature of these engagements, underscoring their role in advancing Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine aspirations.

The growing AUKUS partnership is integral to enhancing security and readiness in the Indo-Pacific. By integrating more advanced allied submarines, AUKUS strengthens the region’s stability and deterrence capabilities while ensuring rigorous nuclear stewardship.