The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable MP, Secretary of State for
Defence, United Kingdom; and the Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III,
Secretary of Defense, United States.
Today, AUKUS nations will commence the Submarine Tendered
Maintenance Period (STMP) at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
This is a historic milestone for the AUKUS partnership, which
promotes stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region and
beyond.
Over the last year, Australian personnel have undergone training
provided by the U.S. and the UK to understand how to safely
operate, maintain and regulate Australia's future
conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) capability,
to be delivered under AUKUS.
Continuing this training, the STMP is a significant step in
Australia's acquisition of SSNs, marking the first time
Australian personnel will directly participate in the maintenance
of a nuclear-powered submarine in Australia. Building on the
success of earlier U.S. SSN visits, Australian personnel will
undertake hands-on learning and observe a range of activities
during the STMP.
Through this activity, uniformed and civilian personnel from our
three nations will work together to transfer knowledge and skills
necessary to set us on the trajectory to establish Submarine
Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) and accelerate Australia's
efforts to be ‘sovereign ready' to own and operate its own
sovereign SSN capability. SRF-West will involve the rotational
presence of one UK Astute class and up to four U.S. Virginia
class submarines at HMAS Stirling.
Australians are now learning, and serving, alongside their
shipmates in both the Royal Navy and United States Navy's
submarine forces, in their training establishments, gaining the
knowledge and experience needed to support and operate future
Royal Australian Navy SSNs.
Nuclear stewardship is an absolute priority for AUKUS partners.
During the STMP, simulated training exercises will help Australia
increase its knowledge and implement a safety culture that
ensures the highest level of protection to our people, the public
and the environment.
AUKUS partners are also committed to setting the highest nuclear
non-proliferation standard for the acquisition of a
conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for
Australia.
Our navies are committed to reinforcing the same guiding
principles within Australia that have allowed the United States
and United Kingdom to safely operate nuclear-powered ships for
nearly 70 years. We are stronger, safer and more effective when
we learn, train, work and operate together. The STMP, coupled
with the continued learning across our three nations, is an
opportunity to share critical skills, training and knowledge and
further improve our interoperability.
The STMP is a foundational activity under the AUKUS partnership
that will strengthen our defence capabilities, better deter
aggression in the region and uphold the rules-based international
order.
