First US nuclear submarine USS Colorado to be based in WA under AUKUS as Greens warn Perth will be a target
The Pentagon has revealed that the USS Colorado will be the first nuclear powered submarine to be stationed in WA under AUKUS.
The Pentagon has revealed that the USS Colorado will be the first nuclear powered submarine to be stationed in WA under AUKUS, prompting renewed claims that the deployment will put “a target on Perth”.
Under the Submarine Rotational Force-West program, up to four US Viriginia-class submarines and one British boat are eventually expected to be operate from HMAS Stirling naval base.
In a joint statement issued with the US, Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed that the USS Colorado, a 10-year-old Virginia-class submarine, would arrive in WA in late 2027.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“SRF-West will accelerate Australia’s readiness to own, operate, maintain and regulate a sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability, as well as support submarine deployments by expanding maintenance options and sustainment infrastructure in the region for AUKUS partners,” the statement said.
Colorado is a “fast-attack” submarine, reaching more than 46km/h, compared with Australia Collins-class subs’ underwater top speed of 37km/h.
Head of the Australian Submarine Agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, described the naming of the first submarine assigned to SRF-West as a “significant milestone” in the delivery of the AUKUS Optimal Pathway.
“This is a clear demonstration of the trust and confidence the United States has in Australia’s people, workforce and infrastructure, and that preparations for Submarine Rotational Force–West are well advanced,” he said.
“We look forward to welcoming USS Colorado and its crew to Western Australia in 2027 and to building on the close cooperation that already exists between our Australian, United States and United Kingdom personnel.
“Their presence at HMAS Stirling will help accelerate the development of the skills, experience and knowledge transfer that are fundamental to delivering Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.”
Earlier in 2026, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy caused confusion in the US when he suggested that the SRF-West arrangement would be limited to five years and end in 2032.
During a series of subsequent interviews, Mr Conroy stressed that the deployment of US submarines in WA could easily be renewed or expanded but it might not be exactly as constructed under SRF-West.
From the early 2030s, Australia is expected to receive the first of its second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the US before a new fleet known of nuclear-powered boats known as SSN-AUKUS becomes operational in the 2040s.
On Tuesday, Greens leader and outspoken AUKUS critic David Shoebridge warned that the impending arrival of the USS Colorado would make Western Australia less safe.
“As soon as the first US nuclear submarine is going to be home-ported and based off Fremantle, there will be a target on Fremantle, there will be a target on Perth,” the senator said.
“We need to end AUKUS. We need Australian tax dollars in defence being spent on Australia’s assets and on the Australian national interest not on the US national interest.”
