US Navy establishes AUKUS submarine support hub in Western Australia

The U.S. Navy has stood up Naval Support Activity (NSA) Stirling at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, a permanent support installation for the AUKUS Pillar I submarine programme. NSA Stirling will provide services and programs for U.S. service members, civilian personnel, contractors and their families assigned to the Submarine Rotational Force‑West (SRF‑West), which will host U.S. and U.K. nuclear‑powered fast‑attack submarines. The detachment is expected to be fully operational in 2027, with the first U.S. personnel rotating through in late 2026.

In parallel, the Navy re‑established Submarine Squadron 3 (CSS‑3) at HMAS Stirling to handle maintenance, logistics and operational support for the rotating submarines. The developments were highlighted in a joint meeting of U.S., Australian and U.K. defence officials in Singapore, which also announced the first Pillar II project on uncrewed undersea vehicles slated to begin delivery in 2027.