Aukus reawakens Perth’s WWII role as the West’s submarine hub in the East

Perth, one of the world’s most isolated cities, is re-emerging as a critical hub in global efforts to deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.

“It is a straight-line shot from Perth to India, Sri Lanka, to the Malacca, Lombok and Sunda straits which lead to the South China Sea,” said Dr John Blaxland, professor of international security and intelligence studies at the Australian National University.

“Strategically, Perth is a profoundly consequential piece of real estate because of its potential [as a base] to interdict and control shipping … right across the Indian Ocean and much of Asia.”