New Bill Would Establish AUKUS Submarine Training Program

WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would establish a training program for Royal Australian Navy officers to operate nuclear-powered submarines, as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States United States is working on a collaborative path toward the development and fielding of the type of boat for the Allied Pacific.

The Australia-US Submarine Officers Pipeline Act would allow Australian naval officers to begin training in the United States to learn how to operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines, before eventually becoming the commanders of future ships.

Australia currently operates six diesel-electric guided missile submarines. Twelve French-built diesel-electric submarines were supposed to replace these Collins-class boats under a deal with Naval Group in 2019. But last fall Australia changed course and announced the AUKUS project. to deploy nuclear-powered submarines instead with the help of the UK. and the United States

Although more expensive, nuclear-powered boats are quieter and harder to detect, and they can stay submerged longer because they don’t have to surface to refuel. Australia, which is playing an increasingly important role in countering Chinese military activities in the Pacific, has opted to opt for boats better suited to high-end operations against a top global competitor.

Several officials involved in the U.S. submarine program noted that women began serving on submarines in 2011, but none took command of a submarine, reflecting the long lead time for become proficient in operating the platform and rise to a leadership position. The idea with Australia is to start training a cadre of young officers now so they’ll be ready to take command of the country’s submarines when the time comes.

“The AUKUS alliance is the most important national security partnership America has had in decades,” Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., said in a press release. “Whereas [design] work is underway, it makes sense to open US Navy nuclear training programs to Australian Navy officers to gain skills in operating nuclear submarines.

“Our bill will authorize an education and training program for Royal Australian Navy submariners to receive formal instruction in the highest level of US Navy technology, and will begin to rotate the first cohorts of Australian sailors who will command their future fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. . This bipartisan bill has the full support of the AUKUS Task Force, and we should waste no time in advancing it to a final vote,” he added.

The AUKUS Task Force is made up of legislators who serve as the go-to panel on Capitol Hill for implementation and collaboration on the alliance.

According to the press release, the program would introduce at least two Australian officers each year to receive training at the Navy Nuclear Propulsion School, enroll in the basic submarine bureau course, and then be assigned to a US submarine. operational at sea.