British nuclear submarine HMS Anson arrives in Australia for AUKUS drill

The British Royal Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine HMS Anson has arrived in Western Australia for a month-long visit, marking a significant milestone in the trilateral AUKUS security partnership. The 97-meter (318-foot) vessel, which carries a crew of approximately 100 and is equipped with torpedoes and land-attack missiles, anchored at a naval base near the city of Perth on Sunday.

Deepening AUKUS Cooperation

This deployment represents the first arrival of a British nuclear-powered submarine on Australia's west coast since the full AUKUS pathway was unveiled in San Diego in 2023. UK Deputy High Commissioner to Australia Brian Jones stated that during its stay, the HMS Anson will undergo maintenance and participate in joint exercises with Australian forces. He described the visit as an "invaluable opportunity" to help Canberra gain critical experience in operating and managing nuclear-powered submarines.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles echoed this sentiment, calling the arrival a "historic step in our nation's readiness to operate and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines." Reports also indicate that the two countries plan to conduct tests related to AUKUS Pillar 2 while the submarine is in Australian waters, focusing on advanced technology sharing.

Building Australia's Future Fleet

The HMS Anson's visit is a practical demonstration of the AUKUS agreement, signed in 2021, under which the Australian Navy is set to acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines from the US and the UK over the next decade. The first of these deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2032. To support this long-term goal, Australia announced last week that it will invest at least $21.2 billion to construct a dedicated shipyard for building nuclear submarines domestically, solidifying its commitment to the trilateral pact.