USS Colorado to be first US nuclear sub at Australian base

The Pentagon has assigned the USS Colorado as the first US nuclear-powered attack submarine to join a rotating force based in Western Australia, officials said Tuesday.

The 377-foot Virginia-class submarine, armed with land-attack missiles and torpedoes, is due to sail to the Australian base in late 2027.

The United States, Australia and Britain said in a joint statement that the deployment was a significant step in building their joint deterrence under the AUKUS defence pact.

The rotating submarine force, known as Submarine Rotational Force-West, will be hosted at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. The base is projected to host up to five fast-attack submarines on a rotational basis, including four from the United States and one from Britain.

The three countries said the force would help Australia prepare to operate and maintain its own nuclear-powered submarines while supporting allied deployments and maintenance.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said American personnel were already at HMAS Stirling preparing the site. The AUKUS submarine programme is central to Australia’s defence strategy and could cost up to $235 billion over 30 years, according to government forecasts.