US nuclear submarine conducts training off Australia's coast

The USS Minnesota, a U.S. nuclear submarine, has begun scouting missions off the coast of Western Australia as part of the AUKUS defense agreement. Australia plans to station four Virginia-class submarines at the HMAS Stirling naval base starting in 2027. By mid-2025, around 80 U.S. Navy personnel will be stationed at this base, with more expected to arrive in the future. The AUKUS pact aims to enhance Australia’s defense capabilities, especially against rising threats from China in the Indian Ocean. Experts, like Peter Dean from the U.S. Studies Centre, emphasize the need for robust defense measures in light of China's increasing naval power. This comes after China sent naval vessels around Australia, conducting military exercises that disrupted commercial air traffic. Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles of the U.S. commitment to the AUKUS alliance. The deal includes a significant investment of $368 billion for nuclear submarines—Australia's largest military purchase ever. Hegseth noted President Donald Trump's strong support for this initiative. Australia is planning to raise its military budget to 2.3% of its GDP by 2034, aligning it with spending by the UK and surpassing France and China. However, some U.S. officials argue that Australia needs to increase its defense spending to at least 3% to effectively counter China's threats. In response, Defense Minister Marles has committed to boosting spending by $50 million over the next ten years.