Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) – 11th September 2024:
The USS Hawaii (SSN 776), a Virginia class nuclear-powered submarine, departed HMAS Stirling after spending over 2 weeks in Australia for the Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP). Fair winds and following seas! During the STMP, Royal Australian Navy personnel directly participated alongside US Navy personnel in the maintenance work onboard USS Hawaii. This was the first time Australian personnel had participated in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine in Australia. This collaborative effort undertaken as part of the AUKUS partnership marked an important milestone towards establishment of a sovereign conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia.
“This was the first time since World War II that the U.S. has conducted submarine maintenance in Australian waters, and certainly the first instance in history of a joint American-Australian team performing maintenance on a nuclear-powered attack submarine,” said Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, U.S. Navy AUKUS Integration and Acquisition program manager. “The importance of this event cannot be overstated. These last few weeks provided essential maintenance and stewardship experience for our Australian partners in advance of establishment of a sovereign SSN force in Australia.”
USS Hawaii (SSN 776) departs HMAS Stirling, marking the conclusion of a historic submarine maintenance period in Western Australia. (U.S. Navy photo by Rory O’Connor)
The STMP represented a significant step toward achieving the AUKUS objective of delivering a sovereign, conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia.
During the STMP, the crews of USS Emory S. Land and USS Hawaii performed routine and emergent maintenance and conducted training that included diving operations to inspect the torpedo tube muzzle doors, towed array system, and the simulated movement of a large pump weighing more than 3,500 pounds from within the boat. Royal Navy Sailors observed the STMP maintenance events to integrate learning opportunities for future UK SSN port visits to Western Australia.
“Successfully completing the STMP means the Royal Australian Navy has taken a major step forward in its ability to maintain and sustain SSNs,” said Rear Adm. Matt Buckley, Head of Nuclear Submarine Capability within the Australian Submarine Agency. AUKUS is a strategic partnership that will promote a safe, free, and open Indo-Pacific, enhance national security, and uplift the industrial bases of the three nations. AUKUS Pillar 1 is assisting Australia in acquiring a sovereign conventionally armed SSN capability by the early 2030s.
“Each SSN visit to HMAS Stirling has a set of goals and objectives, with each one designed to demonstrate increasing capabilities and stewardship,” said Rear Adm. Chris Shepherd, the UK’s Defence Nuclear Organisation AUKUS Director and Senior Responsible Owner for the Replacement Nuclear Submarine Programme. “The STMP demonstrated the synergy we