The defense ministers of the three AUKUS partners last week announced Australia will now exclusively buy used American Virginia-class attack submarines (SSNs).
According to a joint statement released by the U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the British and Australian defense ministers John Healey and Richard Marles, respectively, the three welcomed a proposed approach to “streamline Australia’s acquisition of Virginia-class submarines” by acquiring three in-service boats rather than the previously planned two used and one new submarine.
The countries originally planned for Australia to buy two used Block IV submarines and one new Block VII boat throughout the 2030s. U.S. Navy officials say industry has to be able to produce two SSNs and one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine per year to meet American fleet requirements, which has to rise to an average of 2.33 SSNs annually to make up for selling at least three submarines to Australia in the 2030s.
Australia plans to buy the Virginia-class SSNs as it extends the life of its aging Collins-class submarines and before it aims to start domestic production on the SSN-AUKUS boats in the early 2040s. The U.K. plans to first start production of the SSN-AUKUS submarines in the late 2030s, providing Australia with production lessons learned.
The joint statement argued the new buying approach will streamline supply chain management, operational and maintenance requirements and maximize cost efficiencies.
The officials also confirmed they plan to meet the key milestones for Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) and conduct finalization of necessary arrangements to establish it.
SRF-West aims to help Australia build capabilities and skills to ultimately operate and maintain its own SSNs, starting with featuring a rotational presence of up to four U.S. SSNs and one UK Astute-class attack submarine located at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
“SRF-West will directly support submarine deployments by expanding maintenance options and sustainment infrastructure in the region and will accelerate Australia’s readiness to own, operate, maintain, and regulate a sovereign conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability,” the joint statement said.
The ministers noted the U.S will start rotating the first Navy personnel to HMAS Stirling later this year.
Exchange Monitor affiliate Defense Daily first published a version of this story.