# AUKUS security partnership development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/aukus-security-partnership-development > Updated: 2026-10-26T18:02:00.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 6. The AUKUS trilateral security partnership continues to evolve through significant industrial, design, and operational developments. Five years after its inception, the alliance has demonstrated political resilience despite shifting geopolitical landscapes and potential changes in US administration. A major operational milestone has been reached with the designation of the USS Colorado (SSN 788), a Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, as the first vessel assigned to the Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West). The vessel is scheduled to begin its deployment at HMAS Stirling in late 2027. The SRF-West is projected to host up to five fast-attack submarines on a rotational basis, including four from the US and one from the UK. To facilitate this transition, the US Navy has established Naval Support Activity Stirling to provide services for personnel and families. Furthermore, the USS Colorado has arrived at HMAS Stirling for a monthlong maintenance period. During this time, Australian civilian technicians will work alongside US specialists for the first time to test local maintenance capabilities. This follows previous efforts to build technical expertise, such as training for Royal Australian Navy divers at the Pearl Harbor Ship Repair Facility. On the engineering front, the US Navy awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries a contract for design work supporting the SSN-AUKUS program, with a potential total value of $91 million. In Western Australia, the industrial impact is expanding; sustainment is expected to account for approximately 70 percent of expenditure, potentially requiring 10,000 workers in Henderson. Strategic capabilities continue to advance through technological testing and regional war games. ## Claims - The USS Colorado is scheduled to sail to its Australian base in late 2027. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The USS Colorado is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine. (corroborated by 16 sources) - Submarine Rotational Force-West will be based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The rotational force is projected to host up to four US submarines and one UK submarine. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The deployment is a response to China’s military buildup in the region. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The USS Colorado is armed with land-attack missiles and torpedoes. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The USS Colorado can reach speeds of more than 46 km/h. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Hudson Institute and the United States Studies Centre are running war games in Canberra. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Participants in the war games include the Australian Defence Force, US military personnel, and Japanese military. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The war games simulate a regional conflict with China. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The exercises model the use of US nuclear-powered submarines and those to be acquired under AUKUS. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The AUKUS submarine program could cost up to $235 billion over 30 years. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: USS Colorado designated as first US submarine for AUKUS rotation The US has named the USS Colorado as the first submarine to join the AUKUS rotational force at HMAS Stirling in Australia, starting in late 2027 to bolster regional deterrence. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uss-colorado-designated-first-submarine-for-srf-west ### 2026-10-19: AUKUS undersea warfare capabilities advance through technology tests and war games AUKUS undersea capabilities are being advanced through L3Harris' successful Rock Lobster acoustic system tests and military war games in Australia simulating regional conflict with China. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aukus-undersea-warfare-capabilities-advance-through-technology-tests-and-war-games ### 2026-10-13: US Navy awards $56m contract for AUKUS submarine design work HII received a $56 million US Navy contract for AUKUS submarine design, while ASC and HIFraser signed a $40 million deal to sustain Australia's Collins Class submarine fleet. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-navy-awards-56m-contract-for-aukus-submarine-design-work ### 2026-10-06: AUKUS project faces public scrutiny and industrial shifts The AUKUS public inquiry has received over 1,000 submissions, showing widespread skepticism toward the nuclear submarine pact. Meanwhile, Western Australia prepares for major industrial sustainment roles. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aukus-project-faces-public-scrutiny-and-industrial-shifts ### 2026-09-26: Australia expands AUKUS submarine maintenance capabilities at HMAS Stirling Australia is preparing divers to maintain US Virginia-class submarines at HMAS Stirling under the AUKUS pact, while officials assess security risks posed by nearby commercial port expansions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australia-expands-aukus-submarine-maintenance-capabilities-at-hmas-stirling ### 2026-09-14: AUKUS security partnership demonstrates resilience five years after launch Five years after its launch, the AUKUS security partnership remains resilient, focusing on nuclear-powered submarine capabilities to address regional security challenges and China's naval expansion. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aukus-security-partnership-demonstrates-resilience-five-years-after-launch --- Cite as: AUKUS security partnership development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/aukus-security-partnership-development