By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Enlisted Australian sailors trained to use US nuclear attack subs
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Enlisted Australian sailors trained to use US nuclear attack subs
Tactical

Enlisted Australian sailors trained to use US nuclear attack subs

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: April 23, 2025 9:56 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published April 23, 2025
Share
SHARE

In a major milestone of the trilateral AUKUS agreement, eight enlisted sailors and five officers of the Royal Australian Navy graduated last week from the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power Training Unit.

“I remain impressed with the quality of Australian submariners who come through the naval nuclear propulsion training pipeline,” Capt. Robert Rose, commander of NPTU Charleston, said in a release. “Six officers previously completed prototype training, each performing exceptionally well. I fully expect these recent graduates, especially our first enlisted personnel, will excel in the fleet.”

The NPTU is provided by the U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program, which has operated 273 nuclear reactors in a 76-year period, oversees all matters related to naval nuclear propulsion and manages all civilians and military personnel tasked with building, operating and maintaining nuclear-powered ships.

The Australian sailors spent six months undergoing rigorous NPTU training to learn how to crew nuclear-attack submarines that the U.S. agreed to deliver to Australia as part of AUKUS. The AUKUS agreement between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia rests on two pillars, the first of which is support for the Royal Australian Navy in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines. The second is to collaborate in key areas of naval technology: undersea capabilities, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, cyber and electronic warfare.

According to AUKUS commitments, the U.S. is set to deliver three Virginia-class fast-attack submarines to Australia in the 2030s, followed by a new class of five nuclear-attack submarines in the 2040s.

The NPTU provided Australian sailors with courses in nuclear physics, nuclear reactor technology, mathematics and other related studies to prepare them to master various nuclear submarine systems and handle their reactors.

Currently, the Royal Australian Navy uses Collins-class diesel-electric submarines. The Collins-class vessels are designed and built by the Swedish Navy and are renowned for their silence and stealth capabilities. However, despite their familiarity with fast-attack submarine weapons and combat systems, the enlisted Australian sailors previously had no experience handling nuclear reactors.

“This graduation marks a significant step forward for our Navy. Having naval nuclear power-qualified officers, and now sailors, is critical in meeting our goal of operating conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines,” Royal Australian Navy Commodore Daniel Sutherland said in a release.

Royal Australian Navy sailors graduate the U.S. Nuclear Power Training Unit in the hangar bay of aircraft carrier Yorktown on April 18, 2025. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dart D. Delagarza/Navy)

As the Defense Department prioritizes deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, there has been a noticeable uptick in U.S.-Australia naval collaboration within the framework of AUKUS.

On April 7, an Australian delegation visited Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, during which they met shipyard leaders and learned about infrastructure related to nuclear-powered submarine capabilities. They also toured the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine North Dakota. Earlier, on April 3, American and Australian naval leadership conducted a joint voyage on another Virginia-class vessel, the Montana.

“The exceptionally rigorous training our submariners are receiving at the U.S. Navy’s Submarine School supercharges their skills and edges us even closer to operating our own nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s,” Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, who took part on the voyage, said in a release.

“Furthermore, the opportunity for our sailors and officers to gain hands-on experience working in U.S. Navy Nuclear submarines and learn from the extensive experience of their crews is invaluable to the achievement of our shared security objectives, and we are grateful to our U.S. partners for sharing their wisdom and experience operating these platforms.”

About Zita Ballinger Fletcher

Zita Ballinger Fletcher previously served as editor of Military History Quarterly and Vietnam magazines and as the historian of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. She holds an M.A. with distinction in military history.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

Review: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C

DOD civilian employees given $1 spending limit for travel cards

White House taps Global Strike head as next Air Force vice chief

First Look: Foxtrot Mike Mike-9 9mm Receivers

Lawmakers press VA for details on DOGE access to vets records

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Former teen idol Shaun Cassidy had to relearn his own hits for first major tour in 45 years
News

Former teen idol Shaun Cassidy had to relearn his own hits for first major tour in 45 years

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey September 7, 2025
ESPN star’s announcer jinx adds to Michigan’s troubles in loss to Oklahoma
EXCLUSIVE: HUD Secretary Turner, worship leader Sean Feucht unite at National Mall faith-based event
California woman facing felony charges for registering her dog to vote, casting 2 ballots
LGBTQ Catholics march through St. Peter’s Basilica in Jubilee rite as Vatican calendar entry stirs controversy
Helicopter crashes near Minnesota airport killing all aboard in fiery wreck: police
DAVID MARCUS: The Department of War marks the end of America as the world’s policeman
News

DAVID MARCUS: The Department of War marks the end of America as the world’s policeman

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey September 6, 2025
Chicago mayor calls Trump’s federalization threats ‘beneath the honor of our nation,’ protests planned
News

Chicago mayor calls Trump’s federalization threats ‘beneath the honor of our nation,’ protests planned

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey September 6, 2025
Texas’ Arch Manning laments ‘sloppy’ play in 5 touchdown performance
News

Texas’ Arch Manning laments ‘sloppy’ play in 5 touchdown performance

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey September 6, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?