Courtney Applauds Announcement of First U.S. Submarine Assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West in Western Australia

October 26, 2026 Press Release NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Friends of Australia Caucus, applauded the announcement of USS COLORADO (SSN 788) as the first Virginia-class fast-attack submarine assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. The USS COLORADO is scheduled to commence its rotation at SRF-West in late 2027. “Today’s announcement marks yet another milestone achievement for the AUKUS security agreement, which was authorized by an act of Congress in 2023. The USS COLORADO will serve as the inaugural fast-attack submarine rotation at SRF-West and with it will come regional security enhancements for all three AUKUS nations,” Courtney said. “The COLORADO was built by southeastern Connecticut’s shipbuilders and tradesmen at Electric Boat. These highly talented men and women have taken the U.S. commitments to AUKUS and unprecedented demand to grow and recapitalize the U.S. attack and ballistic missile submarine fleet all in stride. It’s their work and expertise that maintains undersea supremacy for us and our allies today and for decades to come.” “The activation of SRF-West puts Australia one step closer along the Optimal Pathway to Australia operating its own nuclear-powered submarine capability,” Courtney continued. “The combination of U.S. and UK attack submarine rotations and Australian nuclear-powered submarines will transform allied naval posture in the Indo-Pacific. AUKUS Pillars I and II continue full steam ahead with Congress and the Navy in lock step with the UK and Australia.” STRONG SUPPORT FROM U.S. NAVY LEADERS On April 22, 2026, in an exchange with Rep. Courtney, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo stated, “In every regard in Pillar I, we're on track. We're making strides in Pillar II among these nontraditional systems here. And to have a rotational base in the Indian Ocean is absolutely essential." On May 14, 2026, in an exchange with Rep. Courtney, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle stated, “[I] fully support AUKUS Pillar I, fully support Sam Paparo’s statement, and I look forward to standing up submarine squadron three later this year and making sure that Submarine Rotational Force-West becomes alive and getting the first Virginia-class transfer to Australia next year as we continue to build out where they eventually buy a U.S. submarines.” SRF-WEST INVESTMENT FROM AUSTRALIA The Australian government has allocated A$2.2 billion (AUD) for priority projects for SRF-West, as part of an A$8 billion commitment through the next decade at HMAS Stirling. SRF-West operations will include intermediate submarine maintenance for both the U.S. and UK. MORE RECENT AUKUS NEWS Last week, the three AUKUS nations successfully tested and operated new autonomous capabilities and announced new payloads for unmanned systems – significant progress towards Pillar II’s first marquee project. Also last week, the United States and Australia announced the groundbreaking of a new expansion of Bird-Johnson Propeller Company in Mississippi, funded in part with Australia’s $3 billion commitment investment into the U.S. submarine industrial base, of which $2 billion has thus far been delivered. ### Issues : AUKUS News Defense & National Security Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee