Look inside the world’s most advanced fast-attack submarine reveals what Australia’s defence could look like

A new look inside the world’s most advanced fast-attack submarine reveals what Australia’s defence capabilities at sea could look like in the next decade. The West Australian was invited onboard USS Minnesota as it cruised along WA’s coast on Sunday. The nuclear-powered warship is visiting HMAS Stirling for what the US Navy is describing as the “first pillar of the AUKUS trilateral security agreement”. The $368 billion deal would see the US deliver three Virginia-class, conventionally armed submarines to Australia in the 2030s. “This is the most advanced warship in the world,” USS Minnesota commanding officer Jeffrey Cornielle said. “It is so dynamic. Everything changes on a dime. Anything from weather, operations, things that are happening around the world and we can answer at a moment’s notice.” The vessel can carry up to 25 advanced-capability torpedoes which a crew of almost 140 are ready to arm at any time. Every square foot of the sub is used to its full efficiency. Some of the crew sleep next to the torpedoes to optimise space. “Depending on their rank a sailor goes to training for an average of six months to about a year and that’s just the foundation,” Mr Cornielle said. “On board it takes them about another year or so to make them fully qualified on board to operate the ship.” Captain Neil Steinhagen, pictured, said the ship’s nuclear power allowed it to operate for essentially unlimited periods. “It’s only limited by food which can last for 90 days. That can be rationed to last longer too,” he said. Beneath the waves nothing outside the sub was visible but the crew can hear everything around them. Advanced sonar systems are sensitive enough to detect someone fishing on the surface. The warship’s showcase came on the same day as Greens leader Adam Bandt’s call for Australia to walk away from the AUKUS agreement in response to US President Donald Trump’s trade-war tariffs. Federal Labor Minister Madeleine King said the government “was absolutely confident that the US administration and the department of defence is entirely supportive of the arrangement and will live up to their side of the bargain.” “This is the single most important security pact that Australia has entered into,” she said.