The US, Australia and UK named the Virginia-class submarine USS Colorado as the first boat for Submarine Rotational Force-West, due at the Western Australian base in late 2027. Denmark plans to buy Joint Strike Missiles and Anthem cruise missiles, and the US Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin $694 million to produce the AGM-183A ARRW.
The United States’ announcement that USS Colorado will join the Submarine Rotational Force–West (SRF-West) at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia in late 2027 marks an important milestone in the AUKUS partnership. The move will strengthen the American military presence in the Indo-Pacific, enhance deterrence against an increasingly assertive China, and provide Australian personnel with the training and experience needed to operate nuclear-powered attack submarines as part of the AUKUS arrangement in the future.
Denmark’s plans to acquire Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs) and ground-launched Anthem cruise missiles stem from its strategic position near the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Arctic, regions where Russia has been increasingly flexing its military muscle. The JSMs will provide Denmark’s F-35s with a precision-strike capability while remaining concealed within the aircraft’s internal weapons bay, preserving its stealth profile. Meanwhile, the Anthem cruise missiles will give Danish ground forces the ability to strike targets deep inside enemy territory. The potential acquisition of these weapons would strengthen NATO’s security architecture while enhancing its ability to inflict greater damage and strike targets at longer ranges.
The US Air Force’s decision to move the AGM-183A hypersonic missile into production marks a significant step towards strengthening its long-range strike capabilities. Designed to travel at over Mach 5, the weapon could challenge advanced air defences and threaten high-value targets. The move also intensifies the hypersonic arms race with China and Russia, with implications for Indo-Pacific security and deterrence.
1USS Colorado named first submarine for rotational force in Western Australia
The US, Australian and UK defence leaders designated the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Colorado as the first boat assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West. It is due to sail to the new base in western Australia in late 2027, officials said.
Why it matters: The assignment puts a US nuclear-powered attack submarine, armed with land-attack missiles and torpedoes, on a rotating basis in the Indo-Pacific. It also shows the three governments are jointly moving ahead with the plan.
2Denmark plans to buy Joint Strike Missiles and Anthem cruise missiles
Denmark intends to acquire Joint Strike Missiles for its F-35 fighter jets, along with land-launched Anthem cruise missiles. The weapons are designed for precision strikes at long range, including deep inside enemy territory.
Why it matters: Copenhagen presents the purchase as strengthening its national defence and NATO deterrence. It would give Denmark long-range strike options from both air and land platforms.
3US Air Force moves AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile into production
The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin $694 million to produce and field the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon. The award formally takes the hypersonic missile beyond prototyping and flight testing.
Why it matters: The decision shifts the standoff hypersonic weapon from development to fielding, a notable step in the US hypersonic programme.
