US submarines carrying nuclear weapons could dock in Australia despite ban, Senate told

<p>Defence secretary appears to contradict previous assurances from Penny Wong that only conventionally armed submarines will visit Australian ports under Aukus deal</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/dec/05/australia-news-live-skydivers-strike-aukus-review-anika-wells-travel-social-media-age-ban-coalition-labor-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>US submarines carrying nuclear weapons could dock at Australian bases, defence officials have told the Senate, and the Australian government and people would not know.</p><p>Senate estimates heard fierce debate over whether US Virginia-class submarines – set to <a href="https://www.defence.gov.au/about/locations-property/infrastructure-projects/submarine-rotational-force-west-infrastructure-project">“rotate” through Australian ports</a> from 2027 as part of the contentious <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/14/what-is-the-aukus-submarine-deal-and-what-does-it-mean-the-key-facts">Aukus agreement</a> – could carry nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons are prohibited in Australia.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/05/us-submarines-nuclear-weapons-australia-aukus">Continue reading...</a>

Read the full article at: The Guardian World →