Australia is preparing to host U.S. submarine rotations under the AUKUS partnership as retired admiral Peter Briggs told The Guardian the country’s submarine arm may need 3,000 personnel.
The Guardian reported that Briggs gave the estimate as Australia plans for a future nuclear-powered fleet. The outlet also reported that about 850 submariners are qualified to operate Collins-class boats. Briggs’ figure is an estimate, not a government staffing target. The Guardian said the Australian government did not answer its questions about an overall recruitment target or whether workforce development was on track.
The Australian Submarine Agency counts more than 230 Royal Australian Navy members in U.S. training for nuclear-powered submarine work. A Navy spokesperson told The Guardian that about 145 personnel had completed U.S. naval nuclear-power training and that the service expects 400 officers and sailors to be trained and ready by 2030.
Australian personnel are also taking part in work during USS Colorado’s maintenance visit to HMAS Stirling, the agency said. They are rehearsing simulated radiological events, and the agency said the visit would not bring radioactive waste ashore.
A joint statement from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom on Oct. 27 designated Colorado as the first U.S. submarine assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West. The three governments expect rotations to begin in late 2027, with up to four U.S. submarines and one U.K. submarine rotating through HMAS Stirling.
A 2021 Australian Sea Power Centre analysis said workforce planning needs to account for people supporting crews when they are ashore for rest, training and career development. Its comparison lists 134 crew for a Virginia-class submarine and 42 for a Collins-class boat.
The Royal Australian Navy’s published pathway includes three Virginia-class submarines from the early 2030s, with the possibility of acquiring two more, as well as an Australian-built SSN-AUKUS submarine. The next scheduled milestone is the start of Submarine Rotational Force-West in late 2027.
