Australia signals end date for US submarine rotations under AUKUS
Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy indicated that the rotation of U.S. AUKUS submarines through Western Australia's HMAS Stirling naval base is set to be a 'time-limited' arrangement, appearing to end after 2032. The comments offer the clearest signal yet of a timeline for the submarine program under the AUKUS security pact. The rotations are a key step toward Australia eventually operating its own nuclear-powered submarines.
Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the rotation of U.S. AUKUS submarines through Western Australia's HMAS Stirling naval base appears set to be a 'time-limited rotation', with the arrangement expected to end after 2032.
The comments provide one of the clearest public signals yet of a timeline for the submarine rotation program, which forms an early phase of the trilateral AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Under the pact's broader roadmap, Australia is expected to eventually acquire and operate its own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
The remarks are likely to fuel debate in Canberra over the pace and cost of the AUKUS program, which has faced scrutiny over budget and delivery timelines since it was signed. Officials have not detailed what arrangement, if any, would follow the rotations after 2032.
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