Three Royal Australian Navy officers have made history by qualifying as nuclear engineers following an intensive nine-month training programme at HMS Sultan in Gosport, UK Defence Journal reports. This is a big step in developing Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability under the AUKUS agreement.
Lieutenant Commander James, Lieutenant Isabella, and Lieutenant Steve completed a rigorous training regime that combined six months of academic studies and three months of hands-on training. They will now join their Royal Navy counterparts on Astute-class submarines to gain practical experience, with Lieutenant Commander James assigned to HMS Agamemnon, which is nearing completion in Barrow.
Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, praised the officers for their dedication and the Royal Navy for providing world-class training. “This demonstrates the exceptional skillset and knowledge of our people undertaking this unique training from the Royal Navy – a long-standing partner and friend to the Royal Australian Navy,” he said.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including nuclear physics, metallurgy, advanced mathematics, thermodynamics, and nuclear safety management. Practical training involved learning the inner workings of nuclear systems and mastering control room simulators to handle potential incidents and emergencies.
This training is part of the broader AUKUS agreement between the UK, Australia, and the US, aimed at enhancing Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capabilities. Vice Admiral Martin Connell, the Royal Navy’s Second Sea Lord, attended the graduation ceremony, underscoring the significance of this achievement.
The threewere among the top of their class in the course.
The officers’ graduation marks the end of their shore-based requirements as part of the RN’s nuclear submarine training program in Hampshire. The three will now begin practical training, deploying alongside RN sailors, in the UK Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines based at His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland.
This practical qualification enables the officers to undertake their general submarine qualification and complete their engineer officer of watch training, while also learning the fundamentals of operating nuclear-powered submarines, and building upon the program already underway for ADF personnel to gain education, experience and training in both UK and US shipyards, facilities and fleet vessels.
The Director-General Australian Submarine Agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, said the training was a critical step towards Australia operating and maintaining a sovereign fleet of nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s.
“The incredible training opportunities we are accessing through our AUKUS partners will ensure we can safely operate and maintain our sovereign fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. We are grateful for the solid support of the United Kingdom and the United States along with their enduring commitment to help Australia build a highly skilled and capable submarine workforce.”
Source: ADF
Photo Caption: Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, RAN (far left) and the Director General of the Australian Submarine Agency Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, AO, RAN (far right), with Australia’s first Navy officers to graduate from the Royal Navy’s Nuclear Reactor Course: Lieutenant Commander James (second from left) Lieutenant Isabella (centre) and Lieutenant Stephen (second from right).
