UK’s submarine travels 8,000 nautical miles for historic visit to Australia

February 23, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

A Royal Navy submarine has arrived in Australia for a historic visit to strengthen the UK’s commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific.

The fifth Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine HMS Anson docked at HMAS Stirling as part of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the United States, known as AUKUS.

The visit is a crucial part of the ongoing process of supporting Australia to develop the skills and capabilities necessary to operate, maintain and steward conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

The boat, which stopped in Gibraltar before making a non-stop transit through the Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal, will also undergo a maintenance period with the Royal Australian Navy in Western Australia.

“Travelling a distance unsupported of over 8,000 nautical miles, we are ready to showcase what HMS Anson has to offer,” Commanding Officer of the A-boat, Cdr Aaron Williams, said.

AUKUS will expand the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet with up to twelve new attack boats as well as deliver a new class of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.

UK to build up to 12 attack submarines as part of AUKUS program

Vessels

AUKUS will also see the development of advanced technologies to complement the submarine force. While HMS Anson is in Australia, the navies will conduct trials of innovative technologies, including an AUKUS-developed AI algorithm aboard an Australian P-8 reconnaissance aircraft, which is designed to collect and analyse undersea data.

Last year, the UK and Australia signed the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty (the Geelong Treaty). The Geelong Treaty is a historic agreement, the commitment for the next 50 years of UK-Australian bilateral defense cooperation under AUKUS Pillar I.

The partners will collaborate on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our SSN-AUKUS submarines.