Recruitment Challenge for Australia’s Future Nuclear Submarine Fleet

Under the $368 billion trilateral defence agreement known as AUKUS, Australia will acquire three to five U.S.-built Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to replace its aging five-boat Collins-class diesel-electric fleet. The Virginia-class vessels are larger and require up to 134 crew members each—roughly three times the crew size of a Collins-class boat. The program also anticipates a later transition to the even larger SSN-Aukus design being co-developed with the United Kingdom.

The Guardian

The Royal Australian Navy reports 230 personnel are currently in various stages of the U.S. nuclear-submarine training pipeline, with about 145 having completed U.S. Naval nuclear power training and now gaining experience on U.S. SSNs. In contrast, retired Admiral Peter Briggs warned that Australia will need a submarine arm of roughly 3,000 personnel to fully staff the future fleet. About 850 submariners are presently qualified to operate the Collins-class vessels.

The Guardian

Briggs urged a “more intensive recruitment plan” and emphasized that “the personnel side is a huge issue but it’s not the only one.” He cautioned that maintaining two different submarine types would add complexity to training, logistics, maintenance and spare-parts arrangements. A navy spokesperson highlighted that the USS Colorado’s month-long visit to HMAS Stirling is part of the Submarine Rotational Force-West program, designed to build Australian expertise without transferring radiological material.

The Guardian

• “The personnel side is a huge issue but it’s not the only one,” — Peter Briggs

The Guardian

• “The limits of its endurance are really food and toilet paper, and that’s several months’ worth,” — Justin Reeves

The Guardian