The USS Colorado has been named as the first Virginia-class submarine to be deployed to Western Australia under the AUKUS defence pact next year.
The nuclear-powered vessel will be the first of up to four American fast-attack submarines to rotate through Submarine Rotational Force-West, near Perth, starting in late 2027.
It marks a milestone in the agreement between Australia, the US and the UK, under which Australia is due to buy US-made submarines and then develop its own with the UK.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment in a statement with Defence Minister Richard Marles and their British counterpart Wes Streeting.
The US does not say whether individual submarines are carrying nuclear weapons, but the statement said all activities at SRF-West would be consistent with Australia’s obligations under various nuclear non-proliferation treaties.
Democratic congressman Joe Courtney, a key advocate for AUKUS in the US Congress, said it marked “yet another milestone achievement” in making the pact a reality.
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