AUKUS partners take next steps towards Submarine Rotational Force-West

Submarine Rotational Force‑West (SRF-West) is another step closer to being established, with critical support elements now in place – as Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom continue to work at pace to deliver the AUKUS partnership. 

The Albanese Government is investing up to $8 billion to expand HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, creating around 3,000 direct Australian jobs. 

As part of this process, the US Navy has this week announced it will commence support activities at HMAS Stirling – in cooperation with Australia and the UK – with US personnel to begin rotating to HMAS Stirling later this year. This will include:

• The reestablishment of 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 our sovereign controlled and operated SSNs.
• The establishment of 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. 
• The establishment of 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. 

US force posture cooperation in Australia, including SRF-West, takes place under the Force Posture Agreement. This recognises that access and use of Australian facilities and areas is on a rotational basis, as mutually determined and at the invitation of Australia, with full respect for Australian sovereignty.

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 our future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. Deploying our Navy personnel on visiting UK and US boats will provide valuable at-sea experience with naval nuclear propulsion. It will also strengthen the skills, systems and supply chains required to build and maintain Australian submarines. 

This builds on work already underway in the US, where the Royal Australian Navy has more than 200 personnel on training and postings, focusing on the safe operation and qualification on nuclear-powered submarines.

In addition, more than 220 Australian industry personnel are now in the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, building the experience needed to sustain Virginia class submarines. Since December 2025, more than ten of these industry workers have returned to Australia, and are applying their skills in Australia.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles: 

“The Albanese Government welcomes this announcement from the United States which demonstrates that AUKUS is on track and it is happening now.

“AUKUS is delivering a generational investment in the Western Australian economy, one that will support thousands of jobs for decades to come.

“SRF-West will directly support submarine deployments by expanding maintenance options and sustainment infrastructure and achieve Australia’s ability to own, operate, maintain and sustain our own conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.