The superfast cables planned by Google and local company SUBCO, which between them would span the Indian Ocean to Africa and Asia, and connect Australia’s east and west coasts, land at or near HMAS Stirling, placing the base at the centre of a rapidly expanding network as Australia’s military seeks to bolster its digital resilience.

SUBCO said a new high-capacity cable connecting Australia’s east and west coasts will include a branch to HMAS Stirling, while public materials for the project only mention a Perth city landing, 60 km (37.28 miles) north.

“These new routes being built by SUBCO and Google are critical to delivering the capacity and resilience required not just as a safe and secure hub for the entire region but also for Australia’s AI ambitions,” founder Bevan Slattery said in a statement to Reuters.

SUBCO in 2022 completed the first Australia-Oman cable, which Reuters reported was part-funded by the Pentagon to include a “secret” branch to the joint U.S.-UK air base at Diego Garcia.

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.