HMAS Stirling Linked to Three New High‑Capacity Subsea Cables as AUKUS Allies Boost AI‑Ready Networks

Documents reviewed by Reuters indicate that HMAS Stirling and its surrounding area on Western Australia’s coast are being connected to three new high‑capacity undersea internet cables planned by Alphabet's Google and Australian firm SUBCO. The developments place the AUKUS submarine base at the centre of an expanding regional connectivity network as Australia and its partners prepare for enhanced military and digital operations.

The Royal Australian Navy base at HMAS Stirling is due to host four U.S. Navy Virginia‑class submarines from 2027, positioning U.S. submarines on the rim of the Indian Ocean as Canberra and Washington increase surveillance of Chinese submarine movements. Australian officials also say roughly 1,000 U.S. Navy personnel are expected to relocate to nearby Rockingham and Mandurah from next year to support the submarines.

Planned Cable Links and Local Landings

SUBCO and Google plan cables that would together span the Indian Ocean to Africa and Asia and link Australia’s east and west coasts. Public SUBCO materials list a Perth landing roughly 60 km north of HMAS Stirling, but the company has confirmed the east‑west cable will include a branch to HMAS Stirling itself. Google’s proposals indicate planned landings in Madora Bay, close to the base, and a northward branch to Christmas Island.

"These new routes being built by SUBCO and Google are critical to delivering the capacity and resilience required not just as a safe and secure hub for the entire region but also for Australia's AI ambitions," said SUBCO founder Bevan Slattery.

Strategic and Operational Implications

Backers argue the new cables will boost bandwidth, improve redundancy and support Australia’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and allied communications. Reuters has also reported that Google proposes building a data centre on Christmas Island, which analysts say could provide operational advantages for drone and autonomous system operations in the region. China’s foreign ministry said it was not aware of those plans.

Resilience, Risk and Regulation

Australia’s Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, has warned that seabed cables are both the nation's lifeline and a potential vulnerability amid rising global incidents of cable damage and sabotage. Experts say adding more diverse routes across under‑served ocean regions improves resilience and redundancy for both civilian and defence networks.

Regulatory scrutiny has followed: Australia’s environment regulator has paused assessment of Google’s Western Australian cable proposals to consider "matters of national environmental significance, including threatened and migratory marine species," the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said. Google told Reuters it will comply with all applicable environmental regulations. The Australian Communications and Media Authority said it had no record of existing cables at Madora Bay when queried.

This unfolding infrastructure development highlights the intersection of digital connectivity, national security and environmental oversight as AUKUS partners expand presence and capabilities in the Indo‑Pacific.