World
Australia: US submarine rotation at HMAS Stirling will end in 2032
The rotation of US Virginia-class submarines at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia will run from 2027 to 2032, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy told ABC. He described Submarine Rotation Force West as a five-year commitment and said the vessels would not remain at the base year-round. Their annual time on site is being withheld for operational reasons. US and UK submarines are nevertheless expected to continue visiting after 2032. Conroy said the arrangement would not commit Australia in advance to a future conflict, amid debate over the base’s status and the possible carriage of tactical nuclear weapons by US vessels from 2032.