Press Release
☷USS Annapolis Port Visit in Perth Australia
U.S. Department of Defense ( By Press Release office)
Mar 15,2024
| 4| 0
The USS Annapolis ( SSN 760 ) casually arrived at HMAS Stirling in Perth , Western Australia on Sunday . This is the second time a U . S . fast - attack submarine has visited HMAS Stirling since the AUKUS Optimal Pathway was announced in March 2023 . The Optimal Pathway aims to provide the Royal Australian Navy with a conventionally armed , nuclear - powered attack submarine capability . Rear Adm . Matt Buckley mentioned that allied SSNs have been visiting Australian ports for many decades , totaling more than 1 , 800 days . The visits are becoming more significant for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Submarine Agency as they work towards establishing SRF - West in 2027 . The U . S . will start a rotational presence at the Western Australia facility as early as 2027 , with up to four U . S . Virginia - class submarines and one United Kingdom Astute - class submarine at HMAS Stirling . The second phase of the Optimal Pathway will begin in the early 2030s , with the United States selling Australia three Virginia - class submarines . Phase Three will see the development of the SSN - AUKUS attack submarine for Australia and the United Kingdom . Rear Adm . Lincoln Reifsteck emphasized the importance of having submarines rotate through HMAS Stirling to build Australia ' s sovereign capability in operating SSNs . Cmdr . James Tuthill expressed excitement about working with the Australians and strengthening the relationship during the visit . So , back in September 2021 , they made this announcement about the AUKUS trilateral agreement . Basically , it ' s all about these three countries teaming up to boost their security and defense powers and bring some stability to the Indo - Pacific region . As part of this , Australia is gonna get some conventionally armed SSNs for their navy , which they announced on March 13 , 2023 . Oh , and there ' s a video too , showing the USS Annapolis visiting Australia .
PLAY the NEWS
* May be useful for visually impaired persons .
Press release information:
Direct link to press release:
Click here .