A three-day war-gaming exercise in Canberra, led by the Hudson Institute and the United States Studies Centre, simulates a regional conflict with China and how US and future AUKUS submarines might be deployed.

The article ties the exercises to a broader push for AUKUS-era defense modernization, noting milestones such as Trump affirming AUKUS during a White House visit in 2025.

Participants include Australian Defence Force personnel, US and Japanese military members, and civilian experts, with roughly half of the participants drawn from the ADF.

Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute says public persuasion in Australia is needed to clarify the utility and strategic importance of nuclear-powered submarines and the AUKUS program.

A Department of Defence spokesperson describes the exercise as a standard tabletop activity to boost operational understanding and partnerships, not a depiction of imminent conflict.

The exercise highlights how nuclear-powered submarines, including those rotating through Submarine Rotational Force (West) near Perth, could be employed to defend Australia if attacked, emphasizing practical SRF integration.

The event signals moving AUKUS from theory to practice, with progress toward Australia acquiring three US-built nuclear-powered submarines starting in 2032 and plans to develop an AUKUS-class submarine with the UK.

Defence experts acknowledge war-gaming is routine but stress the seriousness and potential near-term risk of regional conflict for Australia, with senior leaders reportedly concerned.