USS Hawaii to undergo nuclear-powered submarine maintenance in Australia

The US Navy Virginia-class submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) has arrived at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia to undergo Australia’s first nuclear-powered Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP). She joined the US submarine maintenance ship USS Emory S Land  which is part-crewed by RAN personnel as well as her regular complement of US Navy personnel.

 Australian industry will also support the maintenance activity.

In preparation for the STMP, over 30 Navy officers and sailors have been embedded as part of the crew of USS Emory S. Land since January 2024 to build the skills, knowledge and experience in nuclear-powered submarine maintenance. In the most practical demonstration of progress to implement the AUKUS Pathway to date, Australian personnel will undertake hands-on learning, and conduct and observe maintenance on Virginia-class submarine USS Hawaii alongside experienced US counterparts.

In addition to the Australian personnel serving aboard the USS Emory S. Land, one of the RAN officers to graduate from the Submarine Officer Basic Course and naval nuclear training in the US, is part of the crew of USS Hawaii.

“The unique training Australian industry and Defence personnel are receiving at US and UK naval bases, shipyards, training facilities, and submarines is a great strength of the AUKUS partnership, and we are already seeing the training being applied right here in Australia,” said Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead AO, Director General of the Australian Submarine Agency.

“This submarine maintenance activity is another significant step forward in building Australia’s skills to safely operate and maintain our own sovereign, conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.”

“The STMP is also an important opportunity to measure the progress Australia and our AUKUS partners are making as we develop not just our workforce, but also our infrastructure, our stewardship capabilities, and our supply chain.”

Workers from ASC Pty Ltd, the RAN’s sovereign sustainment partner, will be involved providing support services, and will also use the STMP to continue learning about SSN maintenance. The first cohort of ASC workers commenced direct training on the maintenance of Virginia-class submarines in June and will provide maintenance work in the future.

Port visits by US and UK SSNs and activities such as the STMP are a vital part of building Australia’s capability and capacity to support maintenance on nuclear-powered submarines in the lead up to Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) commencing in 2027, says Defence.

The rotational presence of one UK Astute class and up to four US Virginia class submarines at HMAS Stirling as part of SRF-West will further accelerate Australia’s ability to be sovereign ready to safely and securely own, operate and maintain Australia’s future fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.

Stewardship, safety and security are priorities of Australia and our AUKUS partners, and will be a focus of the STMP. The activity will further develop Australia’s technical knowledge of US radiological controls, waste processes and emergency response capabilities. No radiological material will be transferred ashore in this maintenance period.