Australia Upgrades Stirling Base for US Nuclear Submarines

The Royal Australian Navy is upgrading the naval base at Stirling, Western Australia, to host American nuclear-powered attack submarines beginning next year. This initiative, designated as Submarine Rotational Force–West (SRF-W), represents the first American submarine base established on foreign soil in 53 years and serves as the first major milestone of the AUKUS security pact between the United States, Australia, and Britain.

Under the agreement, four American submarines will rotate through the base for durations of one to two years each. These vessels will be commanded by an American commodore leading the newly formed Submarine Squadron 3. The project is designed to project American power into Asia while providing Australian sailors with critical training on Virginia-class submarines.

To support the broader goals of the pact, the Parliament of Australia has pledged $6.2 billion to bolster the industrial capacity of American and British shipyards. This funding aims to ensure the delivery of Australian-operated submarines by the 2030s and 2040s, though concerns remain regarding whether the shipyards can meet these production targets.