Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN-783) is seen off the coast of Western Australia, Australia March 16, 2025.

U.S. nuclear submarine emerges within meters of a controversial Chinese lease: “Not one of our partners.”

The Australian city of Darwin, located in the northern part of the country, has recently received an unexpected visitor. Just a few meters from the East Arm port, a facility leased to a Chinese company, a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine has arrived.

An unexpected arrival, in the context of growing tensions between the United States and much of the rest of the world, starting with China, and with entities like the European Union due to tariffs. This submarine, the USS Minnesota, has been in Australian waters for weeks.

Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN-783) is seen off the coast of Western Australia, Australia March 16, 2025. COLIN MURTY/Pool via REUTERS REUTERS EDITOR’S NOTE: POOL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE REVIEWED BY THE US NAVY AS PART OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE MEDIA ACCESS. NO PHOTOS WERE REMOVED. NO COMMERCIAL OR BOOK SALES.

Virginia-class submarine – Wikipedia