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.
