US to Deploy Nuclear Submarines to Australia, What's Behind It?

The United States Navy will deploy a squadron of nuclear-powered submarines to a strategic naval port in Australia this year, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles announced on Friday (12/6). Under the AUKUS agreement, four US-commanded submarines will operate on a rotational basis from a west coast Australian port starting next year. Marles said personnel from US Submarine Squadron 3 would oversee the operation of the vessels, working alongside Australian and British personnel. US forces will train and assist Australia in operating its own nuclear-powered submarines, Marles said, adding that the arrival demonstrates ‘AUKUS is on track and is happening now’. US officials said the base near Perth, where the submarines will be stationed, brings its navy closer to the South China Sea, which is strategic given tensions between Beijing and Taiwan. Marles’ visit to London this week for AUKUS talks was overshadowed by the surprise resignation of British Defence Secretary John Healey over UK defence project funding. Healey pledged to support AUKUS after meeting Marles on Thursday (11/6), but resigned from his post before a scheduled visit to the Portsmouth naval base. Under AUKUS, Australia’s most expensive defence project, Canberra will purchase three used US submarines starting in 2032. They also plan to build a new class of nuclear-powered submarines jointly with Britain.