Key facts
- The USS Colorado, a 10-year-old Virginia-class submarine, will be based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
- The submarine is expected to arrive in late 2027.
- This deployment is the first of up to four American submarines and one from the UK to rotate through the base.
- The USS Colorado is described as a fast-attack submarine capable of speeds over 46 km/h.
The Pentagon has assigned the USS Colorado, a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, to be the first US vessel to rotate through Western Australia under the Aukus defence pact. The submarine is scheduled to arrive at HMAS Stirling in late 2027. This deployment is considered a significant milestone in building joint US-Australia-UK deterrence in the Pacific. The USS Colorado is a 10-year-old fast-attack submarine capable of speeds over 46 km/h, significantly faster than Australia's current Collins-class submarines. This move is part of a plan to rotate up to four American submarines and one from the UK through the base while Australian personnel train to operate nuclear submarines. The decision to send used vessels has faced some criticism, with Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie calling them 'trash', though ministers maintain they are the best option.