A Royal Navy submarine has arrived in Australia on Sunday, February 22nd for an historic visit to strengthen the UK’s commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific.
Royal Navy press release
HMS Anson docked at HMAS Stirling – the Astute-class boat’s first visit Down Under – as part of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the United States, known as AUKUS.
The visit is a crucial part of the ongoing process of supporting Australia to develop the skills and capabilities necessary to operate, maintain and steward conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Waiting for the submarine – normally based at Faslane on the Clyde – was Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Paul Beattie.
“It is a privilege to welcome HMS Anson to Australian waters for the first time, standing alongside our Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy partners,” he said.
“This visit represents far more than a port call, it is a demonstration of the deep trust, shared purpose, and collective ambition at the heart of AUKUS. Together, we are forging the interoperability and cooperation that will define our partnership for decades to come.”
During her visit to the base, near Perth, the boat will host a series of high-profile engagement activities and will be in the country for the 125th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy.
The boat, which stopped in Gibraltar before making a non-stop transit through the Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal will also undergo a maintenance period with the Royal Australian Navy while she is in Western Australia.
“It is a privilege to welcome HMS Anson to Australian waters for the first time, standing alongside our Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy partners.”
Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Paul Beattie
Commanding Officer of the A-boat, Cdr Aaron Williams, said: “The crew of HMS Anson are excited to be in Australia. Travelling a distance unsupported of over 8,000 nautical miles, we are ready to showcase what HMS Anson has to offer.
“We are looking forward to conducting a short maintenance period, working closely with both our Australian and American allies, and engaging with the local community
AUKUS will expand the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet with up to 12 new attack boats as well as deliver a new class of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
The new vessels will be the most powerful attack boats ever operated by the Royal Navy Submarine Service, which is also marking its 125th anniversary this year, and will replace the seven Astute-class boats.
AUKUS will also see the development of cutting-edge advanced technologies to complement the submarine force. While HMS Anson is in Australia, the navies will conduct trials of innovative technologies, including an AUKUS developed AI algorithm aboard an Australian P-8 reconnaissance aircraft which is designed to collect and analyse undersea data.
It is estimated that AUKUS will bring 7,000 additional jobs to the UK, while Australia estimates 20,000 direct jobs will be crated over the next 30 years.
HMS Astute visited HMAS Stirling in 2021 as part of the Carrier Strike Group 2021 deployment and last year the USS Vermont visited Perth for a first of its kind submarine maintenance period under the AUKUS agreement. The visit by HMS Astute came weeks after Australia announced the AUKUS partnership.
