Pentagon assigns USS Colorado to Australia submarine force
By The BriefBrief
The Pentagon announced that the USS Colorado will be the first U.S. submarine assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West in Australia. Officials said the 115-metre Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine is expected to sail to a new base in Western Australia in late 2027 as part of the Aukus defence pact.
WHO:The Pentagon
WHAT:The Pentagon assigned the USS Colorado as the first U.S. submarine to join Submarine Rotational Force-West in Australia.
WHEN:Reported Oct 26, 2026 at 2:50 PM ET
WHERE:Australia
WHY:The assignment is part of the Aukus defence pact’s effort to build a joint U.S.-Australia-UK deterrence in the Pacific, the allies said.
Reporting from 3 identified publishers across this event arc.
