Submarine Matters

I publish on subs, other naval, nuclear weapons & broad political issues. Aussie sub changes are slow: talk since 2009 rather than actual new subs. On the Collins LOTE 2028-2040 see https://www.asa.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2024-10/CollinsClassLOTE-Factsheet.pdf . Trump may decide to cancel the AUKUS Virginia offer due to USN advice the USN needs all operational SSNs through to the 2040s to mainly face China. Gessler & Shawn C are excellent contributors.

March 31, 2025

Darwin Port hosts a US SSN & US Submarine Tender

Since the preceding article SSN USS Minnesota docked outside the breakwater of HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin harbour. I don't know where Collins SSKs dock in the HMAS Coonawarra complex. Apparently inside the breakwater only patrol boats with a draught of 2m (in any tide) can dock. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Coonawarra#Facilities_and_operational_units

USS Minnesota, a Guam based Virginia-class SSN, visited the Chinese run [1] Port of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, in late March 2025. [2]

Along with it in Darwin was submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) the US Navy reports [3] on March 25, 2025.