USS Vermont Departs Australia After Landmark Maintenance Stop at HMAS Stirling
Virginia-class submarine leaves Western Australia base after four-week maintenance — first such job in Australia without a tender ship under AUKUS pact
The U.S. Navy submarine USS Vermont (SSN-792) has departed HMAS Stirling in Western Australia following a successful and historic maintenance period conducted in partnership with Australian and U.S. personnel.
The four-week maintenance programme represents the first time a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine has been serviced in Australia without the support of a tender ship.
The work was completed by Royal Australian Navy sailors, defence-industry workers and U.S. crews under the aegis of the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The submarine arrived at HMAS Stirling on 29 October 2025 to commence a complex Submarine Maintenance Period (SMP), a critical part of Australia’s preparations for hosting the upcoming Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West), scheduled to begin rotation of U.S. and U.K. nuclear attack submarines through Australia by 2027. This time, the scope of work was more ambitious than prior deployments, with Australian personnel assuming the lead role — a major step toward giving Australia sovereign capability to operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.
Among the 134-strong crew of the USS Vermont were thirteen Royal Australian Navy sailors trained in the United States — a tangible example of growing cross-national integration under the pact.
The maintenance effort included more than 160 discrete tasks handled jointly by Australian and U.S. staff, reflecting a transfer of technical know-how and infrastructure-readiness for long-term submarine support on Australian soil.
During the visit, Australia’s Prime Minister and senior defence officials toured the submarine, reaffirming Canberra’s commitment to the AUKUS partnership and its long-term goal of fielding a sovereign nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
The success of this maintenance period affirms Australia’s rising proficiency in submarine sustainment and strengthens industrial ties between AUKUS partners.
As the USS Vermont now heads back to sea, its departure marks a milestone in Australia’s defence transformation — and a concrete step toward its future as a stable and capable host for allied undersea forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
The four-week maintenance programme represents the first time a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine has been serviced in Australia without the support of a tender ship.
The work was completed by Royal Australian Navy sailors, defence-industry workers and U.S. crews under the aegis of the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The submarine arrived at HMAS Stirling on 29 October 2025 to commence a complex Submarine Maintenance Period (SMP), a critical part of Australia’s preparations for hosting the upcoming Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West), scheduled to begin rotation of U.S. and U.K. nuclear attack submarines through Australia by 2027. This time, the scope of work was more ambitious than prior deployments, with Australian personnel assuming the lead role — a major step toward giving Australia sovereign capability to operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.
Among the 134-strong crew of the USS Vermont were thirteen Royal Australian Navy sailors trained in the United States — a tangible example of growing cross-national integration under the pact.
The maintenance effort included more than 160 discrete tasks handled jointly by Australian and U.S. staff, reflecting a transfer of technical know-how and infrastructure-readiness for long-term submarine support on Australian soil.
During the visit, Australia’s Prime Minister and senior defence officials toured the submarine, reaffirming Canberra’s commitment to the AUKUS partnership and its long-term goal of fielding a sovereign nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
The success of this maintenance period affirms Australia’s rising proficiency in submarine sustainment and strengthens industrial ties between AUKUS partners.
As the USS Vermont now heads back to sea, its departure marks a milestone in Australia’s defence transformation — and a concrete step toward its future as a stable and capable host for allied undersea forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
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