Retired admiral says Australia must recruit hundreds more to crew AUKUS submarines
Australia must recruit hundreds more personnel to crew the nuclear-powered submarines planned under AUKUS, retired admiral Peter Briggs warned in The Guardian. Briggs, a former submarine commander, said Australia is heading toward needing a submarine arm of 3,000 personnel.
AUKUS is the defence arrangement between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. The deal is valued at $368bn. Under it, Australia plans to acquire between three and five Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the United States, to replace its five diesel-electric Collins-class vessels. Each Virginia-class boat requires up to 134 crew.
The Royal Australian Navy has 230 personnel in various stages of the US nuclear-powered submarine training pipeline. About 145 have completed US Naval nuclear power training and are building experience on US Navy attack submarines. The navy expects to have 400 officers and sailors trained and ready to serve by 2030. Approximately 850 submariners are qualified to operate Collins-class vessels.
Virginia-class boats are intended to bridge the gap between the Collins fleet and the future SSN-AUKUS submarine, which Australia and the UK are developing.
The debate over crewing comes as a Virginia-class submarine, USS Colorado, has arrived at HMAS Stirling, the Royal Australian Navy base south of Perth, for a month of routine maintenance. The vessel was built in 2018. The US Pacific Fleet identified the visit as part of the AUKUS 2026 U.S. Submarine Maintenance Period. Officials said no radiological material would be transferred during the maintenance period and that nuclear-related exercises would be simulated.
The visit is linked to a longer rotation plan. From 2027, the Submarine Rotational Force-West program will see up to four US and one UK nuclear-powered submarines rotate through HMAS Stirling, and USS Colorado will return to Perth waters in late 2027 as part of it. A joint statement from AUKUS defence ministers in May 2026 said the program will support submarine deployments by expanding maintenance options and sustainment infrastructure in the region.
