<p>As USS Colorado showcases the program in Perth, Peter Briggs says personnel is just one of the ‘huge issues’ it faces</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Australia faces an uphill battle to recruit and train enough naval personnel to serve on submarines planned for the future fleet of nuclear-powered vessels under <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/18/paul-keating-aukus-locking-australia-into-us-china-war">the controversial $368bn Aukus deal</a>, a retired admiral has warned.</p><p>As the Virginia-class submarine USS Colorado arrived at HMAS Stirling south of Perth on Tuesday for a month of routine maintenance and to help build Australian expertise, retired admiral Peter Briggs said more people needed to be enrolled in the navy’s submarine program.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/28/australia-must-recruit-hundreds-more-to-crew-aukus-submarines-retired-admiral-warns">Continue reading...</a>