USS Ohio Port Visit in Australia is a Stark Reminder of Potential AUKUS Submarine Delivery Delays.

On 27 July 2025, the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) arrived in Brisbane, Australia, for a scheduled port visit, mooring alongside the forward-deployed submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40). Ohio’s visit coincides with the upcoming 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day, which marks the end of the Second World War in the Pacific.
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The USS Ohio (SSGN 726) arrives in Brisbane on 27 July 2025 (Picture source: US DoD)

The Ohio-class submarines are nuclear-powered strategic ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) commissioned between 1981 and 1997. They form the sea-based leg of America’s nuclear deterrent and remain the largest submarines ever built for the U.S. Navy. The Ohio class includes 14 active SSBNs (Submersible Ship, Ballistic, Nuclear) and four converted SSGNs (Submersible Ship, Guided, Nuclear) optimised for conventional strike and special operations missions.

Each Ohio-class submarine measures approximately 170.7 metres in length with a beam of 12.8 metres, displacing around 17,037 metric tonnes surfaced and 19,051 metric tonnes submerged. The class is capable of submerged speeds above 20 knots, operating at depths approaching 300 metres with a crew of 155 sailors. Its armament consists of 24 Trident I C4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles aboard the first eight boats. Beginning with USS Tennessee (SSBN 734), they were refitted with the more advanced Trident II D5 missiles, offering extended range, enhanced accuracy, and the capability for multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) with thermonuclear warheads.

The visit of the Ohio to Brisbane also comes at a time when the AUKUS deal, signed in 2021 between Australia, the UK and the US, is being reviewed by the United States. Initially announced on 15 September 2021, this partnership involves two lines of effort referred to as pillars. Pillar 1 focuses on Australia acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines and the rotational basing of US and UK nuclear-powered attack submarines in Australia. Pillar 2 entails the collaborative development of advanced capabilities in six technological areas: undersea capabilities, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and autonomy, advanced cyber, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities, and electronic warfare; and in two broader functional areas: innovation and information sharing.

Pillar 1 of the deal would see the United States share its nuclear propulsion technology for only the second time in history, selling up to five Virginia-class boats. However, the U.S. is currently only able to produce 1.13 Virginia-class submarines per year. This stands in stark contrast with the necessary 2.33 Virginia-class submarines per year which would be needed to satisfy U.S. defence needs and their obligation under AUKUS. Admiral Daryl Caudle, the soon-to-be Chief of Naval Operations, underlined, during his speech in front of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee the lack of construction pace and emphasized the importance of ramping up U.S. production by at least 100 percent to achieve its production goals.

While work between Australia and the United States continues, experts have raised the risk of Australia finding itself without any submarine capability for at least a decade.