Basically the US predicts that the first SSN to rotate (for 3 months?) to Australia's Fleet Base West under AUKUS, will likely be USS Colorado (SSN-788) in late 2027. Its a 10-year-old Block III Virginia-class.
As the Virginias have chronic maintenance queuing problems, and Trump/Hegseth's wars may divert Colorado beforehand, the predictive announcement is more about placating Australian politicians and the RAN, than a sure thing.
4 comments:
Hi Pete,
I haven't been active on the blog lately, though I kept visiting every once in a while to read the excellent articles you & Shawn have been writing.
Just thought I'd share this news item that came up on my feed today:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/27/japan/japan-india-missile-test-sites/
The Japanese military is apparently considering the usage of missile-testing ranges in India, for various systems possibly including the new Type-25 anti-ship missile.
This missile appears to be a development of the 'Upgraded Type-12' that I wrote about previously:
https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2024/12/first-images-of-japans-type-12-upgraded.html
The Aviationist website has a good article with lots of pictures of this new missile:
https://theaviationist.com/2026/07/30/japan-captive-carry-air-launched-type-25/
I'm not entirely sure what is Japan's plan with regard to testing this missile in India. Or perhaps this is a cover for further testing of the Type 25 Hyper-Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP)?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyper_Velocity_Gliding_Projectile
DRDO has built up extensive facilities (including ship-based telemetry systems) for full open-range testing of longer-ranged systems, including HGVs & ballistic missiles. I wonder if that's what Japan wants access to.
Just speculation on my part.
Cheers,
Gessler
More on Australia's defense buildup:
Australia considers US variant of Israel's Iron Dome to protect military bases from missile attacks:
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/australia-considers-us-variant-of-israels-iron-dome-to-protect-military-bases-from-missile-attacks
Hi Gessler at 10/28/2026 10:43 PM
Thanks for the links and observations.
It would be great if you could turn them into an article.
Cheers Pete
Hi Anonymous at 10/30/2026 5:02 AM
What with interceptors being heavily used (even used up) over Ukraine, Israel and all over the Middle East, this so called "Australia's defense buildup" may be a typical "Pie in the Sky US-Australian issue/study" for the next 20 years.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/australia-considers-us-variant-of-israels-iron-dome-to-protect-military-bases-from-missile-attacks is long, detailed, and much is under copyright.
I invite you to do a highly summarised article on it for SubMatts.
Cheers Pete
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