AUKUS Submarine Maintenance Period Demonstrates Forward Sustainment in Australia

251113-N-PE342-1177.JPG Photo By: Cmdr. Erik Wells

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U.S. Submarine Maintenance Period Demonstrates Forward Sustainment in Australia

Feb 20, 2026

GARDEN ISLAND - GARDEN ISLAND, HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, Australia (Nov. 10, 2025) - A bilateral team of U.S. Navy Sailors and civilians of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Dive Locker, and Australian members of Clearance Dive Team 4 dive under the hull of the USS VERMONT (SSN 792) in support of a planned submarine maintenance period (SMP). The bilateral team completed multiple jobs including installing patches under the hull to allow access to main ballast tank three. The maintenance period showcased Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility’s ability to conduct maintenance in Western Australia and its training of Australian maintainers to support the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force – West as early as 2027 as part of AUKUS Pillar I, the trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The AUKUS Integration & Acquisition Program Office is the U.S. Navy office responsible for executing the trilateral partnership to assist Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines while setting the highest nuclear stewardship standards and continuing to maintain the highest nonproliferation standard. (U.S. Navy Photo by Cmdr. Erik Wells)

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