Around 30 skilled workers from ASC have arrived in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, to participate in training on the maintenance of US Virginia class nuclear‑powered submarines alongside their US counterparts.
The ASC workers from both South Australia and Western Australia come from a variety of trades including mechanical fitters, electricians, electrical, mechanical and safety engineers, submarine maintenance and battery crews.
The international placements come after it was announced that ASC had been selected as a strategic partner in the sustainment and joint build of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines in Australia, starting with the sustainment of the Virginia class and followed by the build and sustainment of Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines.
ASC employees already have decades of combined experience maintaining Australia’s Collins class submarines, which will continue operating as Australia transitions to its future nuclear-powered submarine capability.
All work by Australian personnel in the US or the UK will remain consistent with Australia’s domestic and international legal obligations, including its non-proliferation obligations and commitments.
“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," said the Minister for Defence, Richard Marles.
“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."