PERTH — A British nuclear-powered attack submarine arrived at a naval base in Western Australia on Sunday for a month-long visit, in a move described by London as reaffirming its commitment to the AUKUS pact, local media reported.The 97-meter-long HMS Anson, carrying a crew of about 100 and equipped with torpedoes and land-attack missiles, anchored at a naval base near Perth, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.It is the first British nuclear-powered submarine to arrive on Australia’s west coast since the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia unveiled the full AUKUS pathway in San Diego in 2023.UK Deputy High Commissioner to Australia Brian Jones said the submarine will undergo maintenance and participate in joint exercises, providing an opportunity to help Australia build experience in operating nuclear-powered submarines.Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles described the visit as a “historic step” in the country’s readiness to operate and maintain conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.The two countries are also expected to conduct AUKUS Pillar 2 tests while HMS Anson is in Australian waters.Under the trilateral agreement signed in 2021, Australia is set to acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines over the next decade from the US and the UK, with the first deliveries expected in 2032.Last week, Australia announced plans to spend at least $21.2 billion to build a construction yard for nuclear submarines under the AUKUS agreement.
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