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US Navy Deploys Nuclear Submarine USS Minnesota to Australia as Chinese Flotilla Operates Offshore.
The arrival of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) at HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia on February 25, 2025, comes amid rising tensions in the Tasman Sea, where a Chinese flotilla is operating within Australia’s exclusive economic zone, as reported by Stars and Stripes. While this port call marks the first of two planned visits by U.S. attack submarines to Australia this year, it is also part of the AUKUS trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, aimed at providing Australia with a sovereign nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarine capability.
The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota transits Apra Harbor, Naval Base Guam, January 18, 2025 (Picture source: US DoD)
This visit coincides with the presence of a Chinese flotilla in waters south of Australia, attracting increased scrutiny from Australian and U.S. military authorities. The task force, consisting of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu, was spotted south of Tasmania within Australia's exclusive economic zone. It recently conducted live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, an action perceived by Australian officials as a strategic move to gauge regional responses.
The USS Minnesota (SSN-783) is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine designed for surveillance, power projection, and undersea warfare. The tenth vessel of its class, it was built by Newport News Shipbuilding, laid down on May 20, 2011, and commissioned on September 7, 2013. Measuring 114.9 meters in length with a submerged displacement of approximately 7,800 tons, it is powered by an S9G nuclear reactor, providing it with virtually unlimited operational range over a 33-year lifespan. It is equipped with Mk-48 torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles, allowing it to engage both undersea and land-based targets. Its pump-jet propulsor enhances stealth by reducing acoustic signatures.
The Minnesota's early service life was marked by extended repairs due to a reactor cooling system defect. Following maintenance, it returned to operational status in May 2016 and was gradually reassigned to the Pacific Theater. In November 2024, it became the first Virginia-class submarine permanently forward-deployed to Naval Base Guam, reflecting an increased U.S. naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. Its ability to conduct prolonged operations at sea and integrate advanced electronic warfare systems makes it a significant asset for the U.S. Navy.
Andrew Shearer, Director-General of Australia’s Office of National Intelligence, stated before a parliamentary committee that the Chinese exercises not only demonstrate an increasing ability to project military power into Australia’s immediate region but also indicate an expanding intent to do so. According to Shearer, Beijing seeks to normalize its military presence and influence regional behaviors by monitoring responses to its activities. He described the deployment as the southernmost operation ever conducted by a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) task force.
Australian military authorities have not confirmed whether a Chinese submarine is accompanying the flotilla but consider it a plausible assumption. Additionally, commercial airline pilots flying over the Tasman Sea reported intercepting radio communications between the Chinese vessels and New Zealand military surveillance aircraft, particularly warnings related to live-fire drills.
Meanwhile, the USS Minnesota is engaged in at-sea operations as part of the Submarine Command Course, a training program for naval officers preparing for submarine command. During its port call at HMAS Stirling, U.S. and Australian naval personnel have the opportunity to share and compare procedures, including weapons handling and submarine operations.
Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral Tom Phillips, Head of the Australian Submarine Agency, emphasized the significance of this visit in establishing a rotational submarine force in Western Australia. "Each time a nuclear-powered submarine docks at HMAS Stirling, we take a meaningful step closer to establishing the Submarine Rotational Force – West and developing a sovereign nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarine capability for Australia," he stated.
The Australian government continues to strengthen its cooperation with the United States and the United Kingdom through AUKUS. By 2027, the initiative is expected to establish a rotational nuclear submarine force at HMAS Stirling, including one British and four U.S. submarines. Australia is upgrading its naval infrastructure to accommodate and service allied nuclear-powered submarines, a process already initiated with the visit of the USS Hawaii and USS Emory S. Land in 2024.
U.S. Consul General in Perth, Siriana Nair, reaffirmed the strategic importance of the AUKUS partnership, stating that "AUKUS is a foundational agreement that demonstrates the United States' confidence in Australia and its commitment to Indo-Pacific allies and partners."
Amid escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the deployment of the USS Minnesota to Australia underscores U.S. engagement in regional security and its commitment to allies in response to increasing Chinese naval activity. As Beijing expands its military presence further from its own territory, Australia and the United States are intensifying efforts to adapt their defense posture and ensure regional stability.