A Royal Navy submarine has arrived in Australia in a landmark visit that underlines the United Kingdom’s enduring commitment to stability and security in the Indo Pacific.
HMS Anson, one of the Royal Navy’s most advanced attack submarines, has docked at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. The visit marks the first time an Astute class submarine has travelled to Australia and represents a significant step forward in the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, known as AUKUS.
Commissioned into service in 2022, HMS Anson is the fifth of seven planned Astute class submarines built for the Royal Navy. Constructed by BAE Systems in Barrow in Furness, the nuclear powered, conventionally armed submarine measures nearly 100 metres in length and is powered by a Rolls Royce nuclear reactor designed to last the lifetime of the boat without refuelling. The Astute class is designed for intelligence gathering, anti submarine warfare, anti surface warfare and land attack missions, and represents the cutting edge of British undersea capability.
Copyright: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
Her arrival in Australia comes as AUKUS partners continue to advance plans first announced in September 2021. Under the agreement, Australia will acquire conventionally armed, nuclear powered submarines, significantly enhancing its maritime capabilities. In March 2023, the three nations confirmed a pathway that will see Australia acquire US Virginia class submarines in the 2030s before jointly developing and building a new class of submarine, known in the UK as SSN AUKUS, based on British design and technology.
The visit by HMS Anson to HMAS Stirling, located near Perth, is regarded as a practical demonstration of that commitment. It forms part of the sustained effort to support Australia in developing the workforce, infrastructure and regulatory frameworks required to safely operate and maintain nuclear powered submarines. Australian personnel have already begun training in both the United Kingdom and the United States, embedding with Royal Navy and US Navy crews to gain hands on experience.
HMAS Stirling, officially known as Fleet Base West, has long been a strategic hub for Australia’s submarine operations. It is home to the Collins class submarines, which have formed the backbone of the Royal Australian Navy submarine fleet since the 1990s. In the coming years, the base is expected to play a central role in hosting visiting British and American nuclear powered submarines under the Submarine Rotational Force West initiative, further deepening interoperability among the three allies.
The timing of HMS Anson’s visit is especially symbolic. The submarine will be present in Australia during commemorations marking the 125th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy. Established in 1911, when King George V granted the title “Royal Australian Navy” to the Commonwealth Naval Forces, the service has since played a distinguished role in both world wars, the Korean War, operations in the Middle East and ongoing regional security missions.
For the United Kingdom, the deployment reflects a broader strategic tilt toward the Indo Pacific, set out in the government’s Integrated Review of security, defence and foreign policy. The region is home to some of the world’s busiest sea lanes and fastest growing economies, and British engagement has included carrier strike group deployments, joint exercises and strengthened defence partnerships with regional allies.
Officials from all three AUKUS nations have consistently emphasised that the partnership is focused on maintaining a free and open Indo Pacific, upholding international law and ensuring that like minded democracies are equipped to deter aggression. Nuclear propulsion, while complex, offers significant advantages in range, endurance and stealth, allowing submarines to operate for extended periods without surfacing.
During her stay, HMS Anson will host a series of high profile engagements at HMAS Stirling, bringing together defence personnel, government representatives and industry partners. The visit is intended not only to demonstrate advanced capability, but also to reinforce the shared values and deep historical ties that bind the United Kingdom and Australia.
More than a century after Australian and British sailors served side by side in the early years of the Royal Australian Navy, HMS Anson’s arrival stands as a powerful reminder of that enduring partnership, now strengthened for a new era beneath the waves.
Image: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
