This marks the primary go to by a Virginia-class submarine to the nation because the leaders’ announcement of the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) Optimum Pathway.
Initially introduced in September 2021, the AUKUS partnership is designed to bolster the safety and protection capabilities of the three nations and promote safety within the Indo-Pacific area.
“North Carolina’s presence in HMAS Stirling is an instance of america’ full dedication to the AUKUS partnership beginning with a promised enhance in SSN port visits to Australia in 2023,” mentioned Mr. Abe Denmark, Senior Advisor for AUKUS to the Secretary of Protection. “These port visits are a vital step for Australia to construct the mandatory operational capabilities and expertise to steward and function its personal fleet of nuclear-powered assault submarines.”
The Optimum Pathway is a phased strategy that represents an bold plan to offer Australia with a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine functionality on the earliest doable date whereas making certain Australia’s capability to soundly function, keep and regulate this expertise, and setting the best requirements for nuclear non-proliferation.
- Section One consists of elevated SSN port visits aimed to increase Australia’s data of SSNs forward of creating Submarine Rotational Drive-West (SRF-W) as early as 2027. SRF-W will begin a rotational presence of as much as 4 Virginia-class submarines (US), and one United Kingdom Astute class submarine at HMAS Stirling.
- Section Two begins within the early 2030s, pending approval from the U.S. Congress, with america promoting Australia three Virginia class submarines, with the potential to promote as much as two extra if wanted.
- Section Three sees the mixture of a base British submarine design and superior United States expertise to ship SSN-AUKUS, the long run assault submarine for each Australia and the UK. Australia plans to ship the primary Australian-built SSN-AUKUS within the early 2040s.
“Australia, the UK, and america share a protracted historical past of safety cooperation all over the world,” mentioned Rear Adm. Chris Cavanaugh, Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 7. “I’m impressed daily by our capability to work collectively seamlessly throughout undersea warfare coaching and operations.”
CSG 7 directs forward-deployed, combat-capable forces throughout the total spectrum of undersea warfare all through the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea.
U.S. seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and companions in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
