The United States and Australia are poised to strengthen their submarine-focused partnership under the trilateral AUKUS agreement in 2024. This collaboration includes the U.S. Navy’s maiden submarine maintenance operation in Australia, a significant milestone that will see Australian sailors training on Virginia-class submarines aboard the submarine tender Emory S. Land at the HMAS Stirling naval base.
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Trilateral Milestone and Strategic Foundations
The impending U.S. Navy submarine maintenance initiative in Australia, facilitated by the Emory S. Land, signifies a groundbreaking step towards establishing a nuclear-powered attack submarine maintenance capability at the HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia. This move solidifies the strategic foundations of the AUKUS alliance.
Undersecretary Erik Raven highlights the comprehensive progression laid out since the inception of the AUKUS agreement, delineating three crucial phases aimed at operationalizing submarines, procurement and operation, and independent construction and operation, paving the way for Australian sailors’ involvement and proficiency in submarine maintenance.
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Cooperative Endeavors and Legislative Impetus
The integration of Australian sailors into U.S. submarines in 2024 marks a significant collaborative milestone, coupled with Australian maintainers starting duties at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Undersecretary Raven emphasizes the importance of swift legislative action, urging lawmakers to address key Navy proposals crucial for the program’s next phase, including Australian investments, workforce training, submarine sale, and export control modernization.
This collaborative effort underscores the shared commitment between the U.S. and Australia in advancing submarine capabilities, enhancing regional security, and fostering strategic interoperability, reflecting the enduring camaraderie between these allied nations.
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