Maritime Matters

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Australia selects a new future frigate! In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: Mogami-class frigates — selected as Australia’s new general purpose frigates HMAS Brisbane — third ADF Regional Presence Deployment (2025) HMAS Adelaide III — port visit to Hobart, Tasmania WA Westport project — potential risks to AUKUS submarine operations at HMAS Stirling Scarborough Shoal collision — Chinese Coast Guard vessel and Chinese Navy warship incident during chase of a Philippine Coast Guard ship China Coast Guard in Luzon Strait — unusual east-side patrols near Batanes Islands, Philippines China–Russia naval cooperation Austal strategic shipbuilding agreement — securing continuous pipeline of shipbuilding work in WA Deployable 3D printing capability (DAMR) — operational debut during Talisman Sabre 2025 Logistics drones (Callisto 50) — trialled for uncrewed supply missions, freeing up helicopters Links mentioned: Lowy Institute 'How to Defence Australia' Debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaRQr-sY2Ak&t=1s Australia’s new frigate deal with Japan plugs a few critical holes, but doesn’t come without risks - Jennifer Parker https://theconversation.com/australias-new-frigate-deal-with-japan-plugs-a-few-critical-holes-but-doesnt-come-without-risks-262612

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Talisman Sabre & the Geelong Treaty In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: Exercise Talisman Sabre Operation Nasse The Geelong Treaty and wider AUKUS Questions Indonesian naval procurement Maritime Big Play HMAS Parramatta upgrade Links mentioned: Aukus is our path to defence self-reliance - https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/post/aukus-is-our-path-to-defence-self-reliance CNO Testimony - https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/to-consider-the-nomination-of-admiral-daryl-l-caudle-usn-for-reappointment-to-the-grade-of-admiral-and_to-be-chief-of-naval-operations

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Talisman Sabre, RAN LHDs and Ekranoplans In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: - Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 - The latest from the Red Sea - Japan's transfer of Destroyer Escorts to the Philippines - China's new Ekranoplan - The latest on the AUKUS discussion in Australia - The Australian National Audit Office's report into Australia's Landing Helicopter Dock vessels Links: - AUKUS: Building confidence in Australia’s submarine pathway - J Parker https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aukus-building-confidence-australia-s-submarine-pathway - J Parker interview on AUKUS on RN Breakfast 11 July https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/could-the-us-demand-australia-pays-more-under-the-aukus-pact-/105518944 - Department of Defence’s Sustainment of Canberra Class Amphibious Assault Ships (Landing Helicopter Dock) https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/department-of-defence-sustainment-of-canberra-class-amphibious-assault-ships-landing-helicopter-dock

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Iran, Chinese Carrier Deployments & AUKUS Review In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: Iran and the conflict in the Middle East Chinese carrier deployments Taiwan and the South China Sea The US AUKUS Review The Commissioning of HMAS Arafura

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Indo-Pacific Maritime Round-Up – 22 May 2025: Regional deployments and new capabilities In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: 🎙️ Episode snapshot Jen and Richard break down a busy fortnight across the Indo-Pacific: HMAS Sydney heads to North Korea sanctions duty and Indo-Pacific Endeavour gets a makeover. We also run the rule over new submarines for Singapore, front-line frigates for Japan and the Philippines. Stick around for a “Did You Know?” on Sydney’s Captain Cook Graving Dock. Regional developments ▪ HMAS Sydney joins Operation ARGOS ▪ Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 shifts to fly-in teams ▪ Mexican tall ship Cuauhtémoc bridge strike ▪ Houthis, Red Sea & Oman-brokered deal Capability corner ▪ Singapore orders two more Type-218SG subs ▪ Philippines commissions BRP Miguel Malvar corvette ▪ Japan’s 7th Mogami-class frigate Niyodo—first with Mk 41 VLS Did You Know? Captain Cook Graving Dock—Australia’s only dock big enough for every RAN class (opened 24 March 1945) 🔗 Jen & Richard's recent work: Richard Undersea cable control: The information dimension https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/undersea-cable-control-information-dimension ‘Deterrence’—an agreeable word that obscures strategic debate https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/deterrence-an-agreeable-word-that-obscures-strategic-debate/ Inhumane, treacherous or uselessly cruel? Debating underwater weapons, 1880–1939 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23337486.2025.2509450 Jen To strengthen defence, Canberra and London must turn good will into actual capability https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/post/to-strengthen-defence-canberra-and-london-must-turn-good-will-into-actual-capability The Echidna Needs to Swim: Cut Off by Sea: How to Defeat Australia Without Firing a Shot. https://chrisuhlmann.substack.com/p/the-echidna-needs-to-swim 🔗 Links & resources ADF release – HMAS Sydney joins Operation ARGOS (12 May 25) https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-05-12/hmas-sydney-deployed-sanctions-enforcement-against-north-korea ADF release – Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 announced (13 May 25) https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-05-13/indo-pacific-endeavour-embarks-new-phase Sea Power Centre-Australia, Soundings No. 16 (background on IPE) https://seapower.navy.gov.au/publications-and-research/indo-pacific-endeavour-reflections-and-proposals-australias-premier-naval-diplomacy-activity

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Maritime Strategy in Motion: AUKUS, Exercises, and Emerging Threats In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: 🌏 Regional Developments - ADV Reliant Deployment: - Defence release – Pacific Support Vessel deployment - Lombrum Naval Base Modernisation - Maritime Cooperative Activity – Philippines’ EEZ: - Sandy Cay - Indonesia–China Maritime Cooperation: ⚓ Capability Developments - North Korean Missile Destroyer – Choe Hyon - US Defence Reconciliation Bill - AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge - French One-Way USV Demonstration - Indonesia Eyes Underwater Surveillance Systems 🎧 Subscribe to Maritime Matters on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. Links - 🔗 Our Recent Work Why AUKUS Remains the Right Strategy – The Conversation https://theconversation.com/why-aukus-remains-the-right-strategy-for-the-future-defence-of-australia-254985 What Australians Really Think About Defence – The Conversation https://theconversation.com/australians-still-dont-know-much-about-defence-but-they-think-it-needs-more-funding-226887 ABC Insiders: On Background – Defence Segment https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/politics-now/insiders-on-background-defending-australia/105217624 🌏 Regional Developments ADV Reliant Deployment – Department of Defence https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-04-29/adv-reliant-bolsters-pacific-partners Lombrum Naval Base Modernisation – Department of Defence https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activities/programs-initiatives/pacific-engagement/lombrum-naval-base Maritime Cooperative Activity (Philippines EEZ) – Department of Defence https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-04-30/australia-philippines-and-united-states-conduct-maritime-cooperative-activity Indonesia–China Maritime Cooperation – ABC News https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/china-indonesia-agree-boost-maritime-security-cooperation-south-121003235 Prabowo’s China Overtures – Fulcrum https://fulcrum.sg/prabowos-overtures-to-china-and-ramifications-on-the-south-china-sea-dispute/

Maritime Matters Episode Title: New Zealand Navy Challenges, UK Carrier Deployment and AUKUS In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: HMNZS Manawanui Court of Inquiry Report New Zealand Defence Force Recapitalisation UK Carrier Strike Group Deployment HMAS Sydney Regional Presence Deployment Chinese UUVs Anduril Sensors and Torpedoes AUKUS Mine Warfare USVs Links: Lowy The Interpreter, ‘China’s “spy ship” that wasn’t off the coast of Australia’, https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/china-s-spy-ship-wasn-t-coast-australia RUSI Talking Strategy Podcast, ‘Episode 13: Modernising the Royal Navy: Admiral Lord Fisher RN’, https://www.rusi.org/podcasts/talking-strategy/episode-13-modernising-royal-navy-admiral-lord-fisher-rn HMNZS Manawanui Court of Inquiry - https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/navy/navy-news/final-court-of-inquiry-into-hmnzs-manawanui-grounding-and-sinking-in-samoa-released/ Saltwater Strategist – UK Carrier Strike Group 2021 - https://soundcloud.com/saltwater-strategists/2-the-uks-carrier-strike-group-deployment-to-the-indo-pacific-command-reflections

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Chinese Research Ship Near Australia & US Secretary of Defence Visits the Indo-Pacific In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: Chinese Marine Research Vessel South of Australia China's New Amphibious Barges US Secretary of Defence Visits the Indo-Pacific Maritime Cooperation in the South China Sea HMAS Sydney Regional Presence Deployment Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise in Australia Links: Stairway To Taiwan – The Chinese Amphibious Bridging System - Alex Luck https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/03/stairway-to-taiwan-the-chinese-amphibious-bridging-system/ China's naval activity off Australia: coercion or common practice? - National Security Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/chinas-naval-activity-off-australia-coercion-or-common/id1395131021?i=1000701008315 Sea Control 568: Jennifer Parker on an Australian Coast Guard https://cimsec.org/sea-control-568-jennifer-parker-on-an-australian-coast-guard/

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Houthis and the Red Sea, Collins LOTE and Hanwha/Austal In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: Houthis and the Red Sea Vietnam-Indonesia Maritime Boundary Settlement Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base Collins Class LOTE issues Hanwha purchase of Austal stock Harold Holt Naval Communications Station Australian defence and the nebulous “archipelago” - https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australian-defence-nebulous-archipelago

A Chinese naval task group recently completed a circumnavigation of Australia, raising alarms about maritime security. The discussion delves into the implications of their live fire exercises, which interrupted civilian air traffic. There’s a spotlight on Australia's naval capabilities and the urgent need for better defense funding. Additionally, perceptions of national security in the context of China's military maneuvers are explored, alongside a reassessment of the AUKUS alliance amidst evolving global dynamics.