Joint Statement - Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period(Opens in a new tab/window)
Details
The Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) at HMAS Stirling was a key milestone and a tangible demonstration of AUKUS partners’ commitment to delivering a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia.
A STMP is a submarine maintenance activity supported by a tender ship, which provides the capabilities, equipment, facilities and crew to support, maintain, repair and supply a submarine.
This STMP was the first time Australian personnel directly participated in the maintenance of a nuclear-powered submarine in Australia. This built on previous visits from US nuclear-powered submarines including USS North Carolina and USS Annapolis.
Australian personnel continue to undergo training provided by the U.S. and the UK to understand how to safely operate, maintain and regulate Australia’s future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability, to be delivered under AUKUS.
Through the STMP, uniformed and civilian personnel from our three nations worked together to transfer knowledge and skills necessary to set us on the trajectory to establish Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West).
The STMP accelerated Australia’s efforts to be ‘sovereign ready’ to own and operate its own sovereign nuclear-powered submarine capability.
From 2027, SRF-West will involve the rotational presence of one UK Astute class and up to four U.S. Virginia class submarines at HMAS Stirling.
Nuclear safety and stewardship are the cornerstones of AUKUS, underpinned by the decades-long unmatched safety records of the UK and the U.S.
During the STMP, no radiological material was transferred ashore.
AUKUS partners are committed to setting the highest nuclear non-proliferation standard as part of Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.