Key facts
- Australia needs to triple its submarine personnel to 3,000 for the Aukus fleet, according to retired admiral Peter Briggs.
- The new Virginia-class submarines require up to 134 crew, compared to about 850 submariners qualified for the Collins-class vessels.
- The Royal Australian Navy expects 400 personnel trained for nuclear-powered submarines by 2030.
- The USS Colorado, carrying conventional weapons, arrived in Perth for a month of maintenance and training.
- The Submarine Rotational Force-West program will see up to four US and one UK nuclear-powered submarine rotate through HMAS Stirling from 2027.
Australia faces a significant challenge in recruiting and training sufficient naval personnel for its future fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the Aukus defense agreement, according to retired admiral Peter Briggs. The arrival of the US Virginia-class submarine USS Colorado in Perth highlights the need for expertise, as the new vessels require nearly three times the crew of the current Collins-class submarines.
Briggs urged a more intensive recruitment plan, estimating that Australia needs to triple its submarine arm to 3,000 personnel with nuclear skills. While the Royal Australian Navy anticipates having 400 trained personnel by 2030, Briggs believes this is insufficient for the larger boats.
The Submarine Rotational Force-West program, starting in 2027, will see up to four US and one UK nuclear-powered submarine rotate through HMAS Stirling, providing crucial training and testing of operational procedures. Officials stressed that nuclear-related exercises would be simulated and no radiological material would be transferred.