First AUKUS nuclear sub to come to Australia revealed

The United States has announced the first nuclear submarine that will be deployed to Australia under the AUKUS defence pact, five years after the $386 billion agreement was signed. The USS Colorado, a 10-year-old Virginia-class submarine, will be stationed at Western Australia's HMAS Stirling from late 2027. This marks the first of up to four American submarines, alongside one from the United Kingdom, that will rotate through the base while Australian Defence Force personnel learn to operate and maintain nuclear submarines.

However, the arrival of the USS Colorado has sparked controversy due to tensions over a perceived downgrade in equipment promised under the original AUKUS plans. These plans had initially envisioned Australia receiving two used vessels, one new Virginia-class submarine, and subsequently building a third in Adelaide. The decision to send a second-hand submarine has been criticized as "trash" by Tasmanian independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, but ministers and military officials have defended the move as the best option given the circumstances.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured the public that AUKUS was proceeding "full-steam ahead," despite adjustments made to the deal. The USS Colorado is a fast-attack submarine capable of speeds exceeding 46km/h, compared to Australia's Collins-class submarines, which have a top speed of 37km/h. Despite being second-hand, the Virginia class is the United States' most advanced line of attack submersibles, providing Australia with faster, longer-range vessels to bolster its sea trade defenses.

The joint statement from Washington, Canberra, and London emphasized that the selection of the USS Colorado is a significant step towards reinforcing collective deterrence in the Pacific. Australian nuclear submarines will be conventionally armed, but the United States maintains a policy of ambiguity regarding whether rotating assets carry nuclear weapons. This arrangement will comply with all relevant non-proliferation treaties.