Australia to host USS Colorado as first US nuclear submarine under Aukus pact
The Pentagon has assigned the USS Colorado as the first US nuclear-powered attack submarine to join a rotating force to be based in Western Australia. The 115-metre (380-foot) Virginia-class submarine, armed with land-attack missiles and sophisticated torpedoes, would sail to the new Australian base in late 2027, officials said on Tuesday. The deployment was a “significant milestone” in building…
The US has designated the USS Colorado as its first nuclear-powered attack submarine to join a rotating force stationed in Western Australia under the Aukus defence pact. The 115-meter-long Virginia-class submarine, equipped with land-attack missiles and advanced torpedoes, is set to arrive at the base in late 2027, according to Pentagon officials.
This deployment marks a significant milestone in strengthening a joint US-Australia-UK deterrence in the Pacific, aimed at countering China's military expansion in the region. While Australia prohibits foreign military bases on its territory, it currently hosts US Marines for six months of annual joint exercises in Darwin. The rotating force, known as Submarine Rotational Force-West, will be hosted at HMAS Stirling, a naval base in Western Australia, which could accommodate up to five fast-attack submarines, comprising four from the US and one from the UK, on a rotational basis.
This arrangement aims to assist Australia in preparing for the operation and maintenance of its own nuclear-powered submarines, while also supporting its allies' deployments and upkeep. The Aukus submarine program is a crucial component of Australia's defense strategy, potentially costing up to $235 billion over a 30-year period, as per government estimates.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- First AUKUS nuclear sub to come to Australia revealed illawarramercury.com.au
