澳大利亚国防工业部长帕特·康罗伊为其关于美国核潜艇撤出珀斯HMAS斯特林基地的言论进行了澄清[1]。康罗伊此前在澳大利亚广播公司表示，一旦澳大利亚自有的弗吉尼亚级潜艇在2032年到达，美国潜艇的轮换将"宣告结束"[1]。但在最近访问华盛顿期间，他改口称美国潜艇在斯特林基地的存在可能会无限期继续[1]。
康罗伊表示："我预计美国将在HMS斯特林保持持续的潜艇存在，只是具体方式可能与现有计划不完全相同。"[1]他解释称，虽然力量态势协议有名义期限，但"绝对没有理由政府不继续执行该协议，只要他们愿意"[1]。对于康罗伊的立场转变，反对派发言人詹姆斯·帕特森称其"坦白说相当离奇"[1]。此外，澳大利亚已向美国国防工业基地支付了30亿美元中的20亿美元[1]。美国五角大楼未立即回应评论请求[1]。
Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has walked back his earlier assertion that American nuclear submarines would depart HMAS Stirling in Perth after 2032, when Australia receives its own Virginia-class submarines.[1] In previous comments on ABC television, Conroy had suggested the US submarine rotation would end once Australian vessels arrived at the base.[1] However, during a visit to Washington, he revised his position, stating that the force posture agreement governing the arrangement could be easily renewed or expanded.[1]
Conroy now expects the US to maintain "an ongoing submarine presence in HMS Stirling," though he acknowledged it might not operate under the same configuration as the current Surf West arrangement.[1] The force posture agreement contains a nominal time limit, yet according to Conroy, "there's absolutely no reason why governments won't continue it if they want to."[1] Opposition spokesperson James Paterson described Conroy's reversal as "frankly bizarre."[1] The Pentagon has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the matter.[1]
Australia has already paid USD 2 billion of a USD 3 billion commitment toward American defence infrastructure development.[1]