AUKUS base links to subsea cables for major military AI boost

Strategic advantages

Google’s plans include a cable north to Australia’s remote Indian Ocean outpost of Christmas Island, and another across the Indian Ocean to Africa, with both scheduled to land in Madora Bay near the HMAS Stirling naval base.

A Google spokesperson said the landing facility will be, "located inland in an industrial zone," declining to give further details.

Google’s environmental application for a separate Pacific Ocean cable on Australia’s east coast, connecting to the United States, cites "geostrategic shifts in the Indo-Pacific", and a decision by the Quad diplomatic group of Australia, the US, Japan and India to invest in subsea cables, as the context for the project.

Reuters last week reported the tech giant proposes to build a data centre on Christmas Island, which military experts said would give strategic advantages for operating drones and autonomous systems. China’s foreign ministry said it was not aware of the matter.

In response to questions about the plans, the Australian Communications and Media Authority said it was not aware of any existing cables at Madora Bay.