A Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine has conducted a port visit to Perth, one of the first since the announcement of AUKUS in September.
The Astute class submarine went alongside HMAS Stirling in Rockingham, WA on Friday.
The submarine has been part of the UK Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific which had recently exercised with a range of RAN units alongside numerous engagements with regional partners.
Her visit to Australia is to provide the crew with a short period of respite in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions set by the Western Australian Government.
“The UK, Australia and our Five Eyes intelligence partners have a long history of friendship and our Navies have enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship for over a hundred years," UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace said.
“With many shared security interests, it is natural that Australia is at the heart of the UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt. The permanent maritime presence in the region provided by HMS Tamar and Spey further demonstrates this resolve and our commitment to a truly Global Britain.”
The visit comes six weeks after Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the AUKUS enhanced trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the United States.
“The AUKUS partners have committed to bolstering our collective efforts in meeting the challenges posed by our strategic circumstances in the Indo-Pacific,” Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said.
“The Royal Navy’s visit to Perth reflects this commitment but is also a clear demonstration of the strong ties between our two navies that go back more than a century.
“We look forward to continued engagement over the coming decades as we work together in the pursuit of a secure, stable and prosperous region.”
