Maritime Matters

Episode 41: Exercise Balikatan and the Collins Life-of-Type Extension

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Exercise Balikatan and the Collins Life-of-Type Extension 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 recent martitime events in the Indo-Pacific, including: Exercise Balikatan HMAS Toowoomba’s Regional Presence Deployment US Marine Corps Rotational Deployment Collins Life-of-Type Extension Royal Australian Navy UAVs An Indonesian aircraft carrier

Episode 40: National Defence Strategy, Indo-Pacific Tensions & Australia’s Future Fleet

Maritime Matters Episode Title: National Defence Strategy, Indo-Pacific Tensions & Australia’s Future Fleet 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 key developments shaping maritime security, including: Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program New Zealand P-8 operations and China’s response Discovery of a Chinese undersea monitoring system in Indonesia Developments in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz Australia’s upgraded Mogami-class frigates and defence cooperation with Japan The Royal Australian Navy’s new Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit and uncrewed capabilities

Maritime Matters Special Episode: Mine Warfare Explained: Why It Matters Now | Sponsored by Exail

Mine warfare has returned to the centre of global security. In this special episode of Maritime Matters, recorded on 14 April, we unpack the strategic and operational implications of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz — a crisis that has already disrupted one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. Recent reporting has highlighted the scale of the challenge: once mines are laid in contested waters, they are difficult, slow and dangerous to clear. The result is not just a military problem, but a direct threat to global energy flows, maritime trade and Australia’s own economic security. This webinar was sponsored by Exail. In this discussion, Jennifer Parker and Antony Penn examine: • The reality of mine warfare in modern conflict • Why traditional mine clearance methods struggle in high-risk environments • The role of autonomous and uncrewed systems in modern mine countermeasures • What this means for Australia, where 99% of trade moves by sea This discussion connects directly to current events and highlights a persistent vulnerability in Australia’s maritime security. Speakers: Jennifer Parker – former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer and maritime strategist Antony Penn – Commercial Director (MCM), Exail Deanna Nott - Wings Public Relations

Episode 39: Ukraine and Venezuelan Shadow Fleets & Hanwha-Austal

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Ukraine and Venezuelan Shadow Fleets & 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: Ukrainian attacks on the Russian Shadow Fleet Ukrainian USV strike on a Russian submarine US seizure of tankers off Venezuela Hanwha’s acquisition of a stake in Austal US frigate programme RAN changes to the Upgraded Mogami

Episode 38: AUKUS, AUSMIN and Chinese Naval Task Groups

Maritime Matters Episode Title: AUKUS, AUSMIN and Chinese Naval Task Groups 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: AUKUS & AUSMIN China's Naval Flotilla in the Pacific China's Fighter Aircraft locks its RADAR onto a Japanese aircraft US Constellation Class Frigate Program Cancellation The UK's Atlantic Bastion