Perth: The United States is strengthening its submarine presence in Australia under the AUKUS partnership, with the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota leading the way. Off the Western Australian coast, sonar operators aboard the vessel are adjusting to new maritime environments, including the sounds of dolphins in unfamiliar waters. This marks the beginning of a substantial U.S. naval expansion in the region.
Currently on a training exercise from its home port in Guam, USS Minnesota serves as a precursor to the four Virginia-class submarines set to be stationed at a Western Australian naval base starting in 2027. The deployment is part of the broader AUKUS agreement aimed at transferring nuclear submarine capabilities to Australia.
Aboard the USS Minnesota, advanced technologies define operations. Crew members utilize video game-style joysticks to maneuver photonic masts that have replaced traditional periscopes. Life on the submarine can mean extended periods—up to 100 days—without sunlight, with limited email communication as the only link to families, ensuring operational stealth.
Commanding officer Jeffrey Corneille emphasized the submarine’s strategic deterrence role, stating, “If someone wakes up and they say ‘Is today the day?’, we make sure that they say ‘Maybe not.'” He also described the Virginia-class submarine as “the most advanced warship in the world.”
American attack submarine USS Minnesota undertook drills off the Western Australian coast ahead of increased presence in the waters under the AUKUS pact https://t.co/6Ne03dbkpx pic.twitter.com/AqeqpZrqGn
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 17, 2025
Strengthening Australia’s Naval Infrastructure
By mid-year, between 50 and 80 U.S. Navy personnel are expected to arrive at HMAS Stirling, the Western Australian naval base undergoing an A$8 billion ($5 billion) upgrade. This expansion is a key component of the “Submarine Rotational Force West.” Within two years, the number of U.S. personnel and support staff in the region will increase significantly.
HMAS Stirling’s strategic location, closer to Asia and the Indian Ocean than the U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters in Hawaii, enhances its value for American defense interests. Peter Dean, director of Foreign Policy and Defence at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, noted, “Defending the Indian Ocean against rising Chinese capabilities and power is important.”
Virginia Submarines: A Strategic Priority
Despite broader U.S. defense budget cuts, the Virginia-class submarine program remains exempt as Washington shifts its focus away from the Middle East and Europe to prioritize the Indo-Pacific. Elbridge Colby, a former senior Pentagon official, recently emphasized the submarines’ importance in defending Taiwan. Speaking at a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing, he stated that attack submarines are “absolutely essential” for maintaining Taiwan’s security, and production rates must increase to meet both U.S. and Australian needs under the AUKUS pact.
In a move underscoring its Indo-Pacific strategy, the USS Minnesota relocated its home port from Hawaii to the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam in November, positioning it closer to Taiwan and the region’s only forward-deployed U.S. submarine base.
China’s Growing Naval Presence
China’s naval activity near Australia has heightened tensions. In February and March, a Chinese navy task force circumnavigated Australia, conducting unprecedented live-fire drills off the east coast, disrupting commercial flights. The fleet later passed Western Australia while USS Minnesota was in port before heading into the Indian Ocean. Australian officials view these maneuvers as a demonstration of China’s intent to expand its operations in the region.
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The Future of AUKUS Submarine Collaboration
The AUKUS initiative represents Australia’s most ambitious and costly defense project. Under the agreement, Australia will acquire two used Virginia-class submarines in the next decade while collaborating with Britain on developing a new class of nuclear-powered submarines to replace its ageing diesel fleet.
To support these efforts, 115 Australian personnel are currently engaged in U.S. nuclear navy training or stationed on Virginia-class submarines. Additionally, 130 Australians are undergoing nuclear submarine maintenance training at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, according to U.S. Navy officials.
As AUKUS progresses, the expansion of U.S. submarine operations in Australia marks a pivotal shift in regional defense strategies, reinforcing deterrence capabilities amid growing geopolitical challenges.
