Australian sailors learning the ropes of submarine maintenance for the nation’s incoming nuclear fleet have arrived in Sydney Harbour aboard a U.S. naval ship.
The USS Emory S Land made a grand entrance into Sydney alongside Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships on June 28, showcasing military unity.
This vessel carries the expertise and resources necessary for the maintenance of Australia’s upcoming submarine fleet.
The commander of the U.S. ship highlighted the interoperability of the AUKUS defense pact allies during the visit, emphasizing the scale of their collaboration in recent years.
Half of the 35 RAN crew members undergoing training were able to reunite with their families during this long-awaited visit.
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“As part of the AUKUS initiative, Australian technicians are being trained to work on U.S. submarines,” Captain Spillner explained.
“They arrived in Guam in January, where they immediately began contributing and have proven to be an invaluable asset to us.”
An increasing number of RAN sailors are undergoing training with the U.S. Navy to enhance their knowledge of nuclear submarine technology.
The establishment of AUKUS in 2021 solidified a security partnership between Australia, the U.S., and UK, allowing for the exchange of military technology and the controversial development of Australia’s nuclear submarine fleet scheduled to start arriving in the 2040s.
From 2027 onwards, U.S. and UK nuclear submarines will make more frequent visits to Australia to further develop the partnership and provide training opportunities aboard ships like the USS Emory.
“This deployment underscores the longstanding and robust cooperation between our nations over the years,” stated Australian Fleet Deputy Commander Commodore Ray Leggatt.
The USS Emory is currently in Australia as part of a broader Pacific deployment that has also included stops in Darwin and Cairns on its way to other collaborative ventures with allied forces.
Described by Captain Spillner as a floating submarine base, the ship is equipped for repairing and maintaining submarines at sea.
Submarines can dock beside the ship for necessary repairs, which are carried out in the vessel’s extensive workshop facilities.
The ship is fully stocked for long journeys, featuring workshops, virtual shooting ranges, a barber shop, and even a supermarket.
Sailors will have a week in Sydney before rejoining their sister ship in Guam, where the remaining Australian crew members are undergoing training.
