HMAS Stirling

HMAS Stirling is a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) base located on Garden Island, Western Australia, approximately 40 kilometers south of Perth. The base was officially commissioned in 1978 and has served as the RAN's primary west coast naval base, supporting submarine and surface fleet operations.

The base is strategically located on Garden Island, which provides natural protection and deep-water access suitable for naval operations. The location provides access to the Indian Ocean and key strategic waterways, making it an ideal forward operating location for submarine operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Under AUKUS Pillar 1, HMAS Stirling will become the hub for nuclear submarine operations in Australia:

1. SRF-West host: Beginning around the end of 2027, HMAS Stirling will host the Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West), with one UK Astute-class SSN and up to four US Virginia-class SSNs rotating through the base.

2. AUD 8 billion infrastructure upgrade: Australia has committed AUD 8 billion for HMAS Stirling infrastructure upgrades to support nuclear submarine operations, including:

• New wharves and berthing facilities capable of supporting nuclear submarines
• Maintenance, repair, and overhaul infrastructure
• Crew accommodation and training facilities
• Nuclear safety and radiological protection systems
• Security infrastructure upgrades
• Utilities and services (power, water, waste management)
• Fuel and supplies handling facilities

3. Collins-class operations: HMAS Stirling currently serves as the home base for Australia's Collins-class diesel-electric submarines, operated by ASC. The base will continue to support Collins-class operations during the transition to nuclear submarine capability.

4. Future Virginia-class and SSN-AUKUS: HMAS Stirling will support Australia's future Virginia-class submarines (acquired under Phase 2 of AUKUS Pillar 1) and eventually the SSN-AUKUS submarines (Phase 3). The base will be the primary operational base for Australian SSNs.

5. Training and workforce: The base will host training facilities for nuclear submarine operations, building the Australian workforce needed to operate and maintain nuclear submarines. This includes naval crews, maintenance personnel, and support staff.

The transformation of HMAS Stirling into a nuclear submarine-capable base represents one of the largest defense infrastructure projects in Australian history. The AUD 8 billion investment will create thousands of jobs in Western Australia and establish a long-term defense industrial capability in the region.

The base's location on Garden Island provides several advantages:

• Natural deep-water harbor suitable for submarine operations
• Relative isolation from populated areas (enhancing safety and security)
• Proximity to the Indian Ocean and key strategic waterways
• Existing naval infrastructure that can be expanded

HMAS Stirling connects to the broader AUKUS framework through its role as the primary Australian base for nuclear submarine operations. The base will host US and UK submarines under SRF-West, and will later support Australia's own Virginia-class and SSN-AUKUS submarines. The base is critical to the entire AUKUS Pillar 1 Optimal Pathway.