Maritime Matters

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Exercise Malabar & the South Korean SSN

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 Malabar & Ausindex

US-Philippines Task Force

US China Maritime Talks

South Korean SSN

Singaporean MCM USVs

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Catching up: AUKUS, The South China Sea and More

In this episode of Maritime Matters, Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard-dunley) discuss the week that was in maritime security across the Indo-Pacific and beyond — recorded Wednesday, 29 October 2025.

Each episode, they unpack the key developments shaping maritime strategy, capability, and regional security — so let’s dive in.

1. What We’ve Been Up To

Jen shares recent media and research highlights, including her DW feature on chokepoints:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq5s7-o2LuI

Her recent article on China’s dangerous aerial interceptions:

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-chinas-dangerous-interceptions-see-the-breakdown-of-peaceful-world-order/

She also previews the launch of the new UNSW Canberra Naval Studies Group publication 'A Maritime Strategy for Australia 2035'

Richard talks about his recent visit to Vietnam.

2. Regional Developments

US Navy Incidents:

Two US aircraft — an MH-60R Seahawk and an F/A-18F Super Hornet — crashed during operations in the South China Sea. All crew were rescued, with investigations underway.

Australian P-8A Incident:

On 19 October, a PLAAF Su-35 fighter twice released flares dangerously close to a RAAF P-8A Poseidon in the South China Sea

USS Gerald R. Ford Deployment:

Young Endeavour’s Final Circumnavigation of Australia

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-10-22/young-endeavours-last-lap-inspires-new-generation

3. Capability Developments

AUKUS Progress:

Former US President Trump reaffirmed support for Australia’s nuclear submarine program, saying it will proceed “full steam ahead.”

RAAF Expansion:

No. 12 Squadron RAAF re-established at Edinburgh to operate a second squadron of P-8A Poseidons.

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-10-17/second-p-8a-poseidon-squadron-established-support-growing-aircraft-fleet

Singapore’s Multi-Role Combat Vessel:

StrikeMaster Success

UK Atlantic Net / Atlantic Bastion:

5. Did You Know?

🇦🇺 No. 12 Squadron RAAF — “We Roam and We Charge”

- Formed in 1939, No. 12 Squadron became the first RAAF unit permanently based in the Northern Territory.

- Flew Vultee Vengeance and B-24 Liberator missions across the Timor and Arafura Seas during WWII.

- Re-formed in 1973 with CH-47C Chinooks, which arrived aboard HMAS Melbourne after Vietnam service.

- Disbanded in 1989, re-raised in 2025 at RAAF Edinburgh with P-8A Poseidons.

- Motto: “We Roam and We Charge” — badge features a charging bull symbolising strength and determination.

Links Mentioned

DW: Chokepoints — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq5s7-o2LuI

ASPI Strategist: China’s Dangerous Interceptions — https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in-chinas-dangerous-interceptions-see-the-breakdown-of-peaceful-world-order/

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Exercise Alon & a Mogami-Hunter Comparison

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 Alon

China’s Military Parade

US Marine Corps ASW Focus

Hunter-Mogami Comparison

Norwegian Type 26 Acquisition

OPV Programme

Links mentioned:

If there’s a war in the Pacific, who defends Australia? - https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/post/if-there-s-a-war-in-the-pacific-who-defends-australia

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