The Virgnia-class USS North Carolina (SSN 777) visited Australia in August 2023 after AUKUS announcement, and more US submarines are likely to visit Australian shores as part of AUKUS Pillar I – Stage 1, widely known as Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) initiative (Photo: Australian Department of Defence)
The heightened frequency of US submarine visits to Australia, initiated in 2023, stands as a pivotal element within the AUKUS agreement and the Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) initiative. In the same year, both the Los Angeles-class USS Asheville (SSN 758) and the Virginia-class USS North Carolina (SSN 777) embarked on significant visits to Australia. Looking ahead, the planned rotations of UK and US submarines to Australia from 2027 onward are poised to play a critical role in bolstering Australian capabilities, fostering employment opportunities, and advancing technological infrastructure.
The USS Asheville’s visit to HMAS Stirling in March 2023 marked another noteworthy event in the ongoing series of US Navy submarine visits to the region. This followed the visits of USS Springfield (SSN 761) in April 2022 and USS Mississippi (SSN 782) in November 2022, illustrating the sustained collaboration between the US Navy and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Assigned to Commander, Submarine Group 7/Submarine Squadron 15 in Guam, the USS Asheville serves as a testament to the US Navy’s dedication to maintaining a robust forward-deployed submarine force. As part of this forward-deployed submarine squadron, the USS Asheville, alongside its counterparts, remains prepared to meet global operational demands.
The Guam-based submarines, including the USS Key West, USS Asheville, USS Jefferson City, USS Annapolis, and USS Springfield, are expected to play a significant role in the upcoming rotations. Under the guidance of Commander, Submarine Group 7, responsible for submarine activities in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea, the forward-deployed submarine force ensures readiness and global operational capabilities.
The Guam Naval Base Guam submarines include the USS Key West, USS Asheville, USS Jefferson City, USS Annapolis, and USS Springfield (Photo: Google Earth)
A submarine spotted at Guam Naval Base is likely the one among five Los-Angeles class ported for Indo-Pacific missions and initiatives (Photo: Google Earth)
August 2023 witnessed a momentous occasion with the visit of the Virginia-class USS North Carolina (SSN 777) to Australia. Arriving from its homeport in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the 377-feet nuclear-powered submarine docked at HMAS Stirling Naval Base on Garden Island near Rockingham, Perth, Western Australia. This historic visit, post-AUKUS announcement, signifies the deepening partnership between the US and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region and underscores the commitment to shared security goals and the strengthening trust between the two nations.
In the context of strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region, the US Navy’s commitment to both the Indian Ocean and Pacific theatresis evident in the recent passage of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in both houses of the US Congress. This legislative milestone sets the stage for Australia to acquire three second-hand Virginia-class submarines as soon as in 2030s.
Concurrently, Australia is extending the life of its existing fleet of six Collins-class submarines through the Life of Type Extension (LOTE) program, starting with HMAS Farncomb (SSG 74) in mid-2026. As part of the SRF-West initiative, more US and UK submarine port visits to Australia are anticipated in 2024 and onwards. By getting three second-hand Virgina-Class submarines from the US, having more port visits from the US and UK submarines, and through LOTE program, Australia will be able to address its submarine capability gap.
The Los-Angeles class USS Asheville (SSN 758) visited Australia in March 2023 (Photo: Australian Department of Defence)
The planned construction of eight conventionally-armed and nuclear-powered AUKUS-SSN class submarines will start in 2040s onwards in Adelaide, South Australia. Collectively, all these initiatives chart the optimal pathway for Australia. By the time Australia retires its own refurbished Collins-class submarine fleet, it will end up having three Virgina class submarines and eight AUKUS-SSNs.
This is why, the USS North Carolina and USS Ashville’s visits to Australia in 2023 serves as a tangible manifestation of the optimal pathway and Australia’s strategic priorities, reinforcing the AUKUS alliance’s pivotal role in preserving regional stability and security. As submarine visits become integral to regional stability and cooperation, the Indo-Pacific region enters an era of strategic maritime engagements, fortifying the bonds between the United States, Australia, and other partners in the region.
