Australian submariners to train on RN Astute-class submarines under AUKUS

The UK Royal Navy's fifth Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, HMS Anson , was commissioned into service at BAE Systems' yard in Barrow-in-Furness, North West England, on 31 August. Australian submariners will join RN crews to train on Anson and other Astute-class boats under the AUKUS security partnership. (Royal Navy)

Australian submariners are set to train onboard the UK Royal Navy's (RN's) newest Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) under the trilateral AUKUS security pact, which also includes the US.

HMS Anson , the fifth of seven Astute-class SSNs on order for the RN, was commissioned into service at BAE Systems' shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, North West England, on 31 August.

The ceremony was attended by Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, alongside the UK's outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace. Marles was making a visit to the UK to strengthen defence ties in light of the AUKUS partnership.

Announced by Australia, the UK, and the US in September 2021, AUKUS intends to strengthen their collective security arrangements to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region, with an immediate focus on improving the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) submarine capability. Under the arrangement, Australia has opted to cancel a deal to procure conventionally powered submarines with French assistance in favour of procuring eight new conventionally armed SSNs to be built in South Australia with the support of the US and UK.

Wallace said Anson's