USS Minnesota (SSN 783) arrived in Western Australia on 25 February 2025, commencing the first of two planned U.S. fast-attack submarine visits to HMAS Stirling in 2025. Port visits support the first pillar of the Australia, United Kingdom, United States trilateral security agreement, known as AUKUS, that is delivering a sovereign conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarine capability to Australia.
“Every time a nuclear-powered submarine ties up in HMAS Stirling, we take a meaningful step closer to establishing Submarine Rotational Force – West and a sovereign conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarine capability for Australia,” said Royal Australian Navy Rear Adm and the Australian Submarine Agency’s Head of Submarine Capability, Tom Phillips.
This year, USS Minnesota is conducting at-sea operations as part of the Submarine Command Course, a training program for naval officers preparing to take command of a submarine. At HMAS Stirling, the US Navy will have the opportunity to share and compare procedures, such as weapons handling, with their Australian counterparts.
“AUKUS is a foundational partnership that demonstrates the United States’ confidence in Australia and commitment to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” said the US Consul General in Perth, Siriana Nair.