First AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine workers headed to Hawaii for training on US subs at Pearl Harbor

The first contingent of workers set to build and operate Australia’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines are on their way to Pearl Harbor to undertake training on the new technology. A group of 30 workers from WA and South Australia, set off on Saturday to start their training at the historic harbour on the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu. They will be embedded in the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to learn from their American counterparts on the US’ conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. The training will include both classroom and on-the-job learning for a range of jobs, including fitters, electricians, electrical, mechanical and safety engineers, and submarine maintenance and battery crew. Upon their return to WA, workers will be assigned key roles in the Submarine Rotational Force-West, based at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, off the Rockingham coast, where they will lead the maintenance of rotating US and UK nuclear-powered submarines. More than 120 Australian shipyard workers from ASC, one of the two companies along with BAE Systems selected to build the submarines, are expected to travel to Pearl Harbor to undertake the training by the middle of next year. AUKUS partners are expected to have a rotational presence as early as 2027, with one UK and up to four US nuclear-powered submarines to be based at HMAS Stirling. The coveted trilateral agreement will see Australia become one of just seven countries operating nuclear-powered submarines. Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia farewelled some of the WA workers on Friday and said the overseas training will rapidly develop their skills. “Western Australian workers are critical to the success of the AUKUS agreement and this international upskilling opportunity will ensure our defence industry rapidly develops its nuclear sustainment capability,” he said. Mr Papalia said WA’s defence industry sector was “emerging as an enormous contributor to diversifying the State’s economy” now and for future generations. “AUKUS becomes real right here in WA,” he said. Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Defence Minister Richard Marles said the on-site training presented a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for workers in “another exciting step when it comes to developing the workforce” for AUKUS. “These highly skilled workers already have decades of combined submarine experience having sustained our Collins class submarines and now have the opportunity to be upskilled by our US counterparts in sustaining nuclear-powered submarines,” Mr Marles said. “Such unique education and training opportunities for Australian workers reflect the rock-solid commitment of our US and UK partners to our nation-building AUKUS program.”