Australia sets 2032 deadline for US submarine rotations at HMAS Stirling

Pat Conrey, Australia’s Defence Industries Minister, told the 7.30 program that the US Virginia-class submarines rotating through HMAS Stirling will operate on a five-year schedule starting in 2027 and finish by 2032, when Australia plans to field its own nuclear-powered submarines. He emphasized the rotation is time-limited and that the vessels will not be permanently based there, though he would not disclose the exact annual deployment length.

During his visit to Washington, Conroy met senior Pentagon officials, including US Navy Secretary Hung Cao and US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and visited a South Carolina submarine plant, unveiling a $2 million Australian-steel contract. Military analyst Jennifer Parker expressed surprise at the clear end date, suggesting the US may continue visits after 2032. Critics such as Gareth Evans and Malcolm Turnbull have warned the base could become a de-facto US facility, a charge Conroy rejected. The Australian Submarine Agency expects continued US and UK submarine visits beyond the stated period, while former defence secretary Mike Pezzullo raised concerns about potential nuclear weapons carriage after 2032.