US Navy Plans New Submarine Base to Monitor China's Undersea Fleet

US and British submarines will operate out of western Australia by 2027 as part of the AUKUS agreement, allowing allied subs to spend more time operating in the Pacific and Indian oceans. The deal on the base comes as rivals, mainly China, increase their submarine activity in the region. China's undersea force has made notable developments, including the newest Yuan-class diesel-electric subs, which are quiet and have more advanced sonars, and the six operational Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic-missile subs, which are likely already conducting "near-continuous at-sea deterrence patrols."