The United States is enhancing its submarine presence off Western Australia under the AUKUS partnership.
The USS Minnesota, a Virginia-class attack submarine, recently conducted training exercises near Western Australia. This deployment precedes the planned stationing of four additional Virginia-class submarines at HMAS Stirling naval base by 2027.
To accommodate these submarines, HMAS Stirling is undergoing an A$8 billion upgrade.
The AUKUS partnership aims to transfer nuclear submarine capabilities to Australia. As part of this initiative, 115 Australian personnel are training with the U.S. nuclear navy, and 130 more are learning nuclear submarine maintenance at Pearl Harbor.
The increased U.S. submarine presence is viewed as a strategic move to counter rising Chinese capabilities in the Indian Ocean.
The U.S. also plans to sell two Virginia-class submarines to Australia and collaborate with the UK to develop a new class of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
These developments mark a significant shift in Australia’s defense strategy, emphasizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region in global security dynamics.
