The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Australian industry conducted their first direct maintenance task on a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), as part of preparations to host and subsequently operate its own fleet of SSNs.
The Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) on the US Navy’s Virginia-class SSN USS Hawaii was performed at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia with the aid of the submarine tender, USS Emory S Land.
The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced that 30 RAN personnel have been assigned to Emory S Land since January 2024 to build the skills, knowledge, and experience in nuclear-powered submarine maintenance.
“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, Director-General 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,” added Vice Admiral Mead.
ASC – formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation – also deployed its staff to support the STMP, while leveraging the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of SSN maintenance. The first batch of ASC workers earlier commenced training on Virginia-class SSNs in June.
by Jr Ng
