USS Colorado Docks in Australia as Part of AUKUS Submarine Rotation to Counter China
The USS Colorado, a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, has arrived in Australia. This deployment is a key component of the U.S. Navy's Submarine Rotational Force-West initiative, which aims to rotate up to four American and one British submarine through the Indo-Pacific region. The move is part of the trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS, involving the United States, Australia, and Britain. The USS Colorado's assignment is set to begin in late 2027, operating from HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. This initiative is designed to enhance access for U.S. and British submarines to the Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean, and surrounding waters, thereby strengthening regional deterrence and operational flexibility. The AUKUS partners recently announced that the United States will sell Australia three in-service Virginia-class boats, replacing an earlier plan, with sales slated for the 2030s and the British-Australian SSN-AUKUS for the 2040s. More than 30 Australian civilian technicians from ASC...
