Australia's AUKUS base to connect to subsea cables as US allies boost AI pipes

FILE PHOTO: An external view of HMAS Stirling navy base, as it is set to host a rotational force of up to four United States Virginia class attack submarines, and one British nuclear powered submarine, from 2027 under the AUKUS agreement between Australia, Britain and the US, in Rockingham, Western Australia March 15, 2025. - Reuters

SYDNEY: Australia's AUKUS submarine fleet base and its vicinity are being quietly connected to three powerful new undersea internet cables planned by Alphabet's Google and SUBCO, documents viewed by Reuters show.

The HMAS Stirling naval base on Australia's west coast will house four US-commanded Virginia submarines from 2027, placing the US Navy on the Indian Ocean's rim as Washington and Canberra step up surveillance of Chinese submarine activity.