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4w ago

HMS Anson Begins First UK Submarine Maintenance Period in Australia

The visit advances AUKUS by building Australian sustainment skills.

HMS Anson
HMS Anson docked at HMAS Stirling – the Astute-class boat’s first visit Down Under – as part of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the United States, known as AUKUS. UK Ministry of Defence © Crown copyright 2026.
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Overview

  • The Astute-class attack submarine arrived at HMAS Stirling on February 22 for a roughly month-long Submarine Maintenance Period.
  • About 100 personnel from the Royal Navy, UK Submarine Delivery Agency, Royal Australian Navy, ASC Pty Ltd, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard are conducting the work.
  • Two Royal Australian Navy officers are embedded on HMS Anson as partners run interoperability trials, including the Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicle and anti-submarine warfare AI on an RAAF P-8A.
  • UK and Australian officials describe the visit as tangible AUKUS progress that prepares for Submarine Rotational Force–West from 2027 and future SSN‑AUKUS construction in Adelaide.
  • Coverage notes HMS Anson completed a nonstop 8,000–8,200 nautical mile transit from Gibraltar and highlights analyst concerns over UK readiness given reports it is the only fully operational Astute-class boat.