US Republican backs nuclear-armed subs rotating through Perth
A senior US Republican says America should arm submarine rotations through Australia as a deterrent to China.
Michael McCaul, a senior US Republican, said Virginia-class submarines rotating through Perth should carry nuclear weapons. McCaul argues nuclear subs deter China from attacking Taiwan.
McCaul sees this as a real and active threat. McCaul says nuclear weapons worked against the Soviets.
McCaul says subs without them are pointless. Australia says AUKUS follows the Treaty of Rarotonga.
This treaty forbids Australia from acquiring or basing nuclear weapons. It is unclear whether rotating submarines count as based there under the treaty.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles confirmed Australia's commitment to the Treaty of Rarotonga. Defence Minister Pat Conroy said no nuclear-armed submarines will be based in Perth.
McCaul would not say if subs now carry nuclear weapons. McCaul said it is probably classified.
- HMAS Stirling, Western Australia
- Base location
- Treaty of Rarotonga
- International commitment
Why it mattersAustralia faces pressure to weaken nuclear safeguards. It must balance treaty commitments against security partnerships with America.
AustraliaAustralians may see nuclear-armed submarines operating from Perth if policy shifts, complicating Australia's commitment to stay nuclear-weapon-free.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
