The Pentagon says US submarines will be based in Australia on an “enduring” basis, following confusion after Australia’s defence industry minister made comments in Washington about a limited deployment period. According to multiple reports, the minister previously indicated that American submarines would be at HMAS Stirling for only five years, which prompted concern and clarification on both sides. The three outlets report that, after the confusion, both the US and Australia now describe the arrangement as indefinite rather than time-limited. The updated characterisation means the rotational or basing arrangement is presented as continuing beyond a fixed five-year period, with the US treating the presence of its submarines in Australia as long-term. The reports do not specify new operational details beyond the shift in how the duration is described, but they agree the change is tied to correcting earlier messaging and aligning statements between the two governments.