Seapower: To Fight and Win at Sea – 125 Years of Australian Naval History
The 'Seapower: To Fight and Win at Sea – 125 Years of Australian Naval History' conference, held in Sydney, AUS, offers a comprehensive exploration of Australia's naval past. This event serves as a significant platform for scholars, practitioners, and enthusiasts to delve into the historical trajectory of the Royal Australian Navy and its contributions to maritime security and national defense. The conference aims to foster a deeper understanding of the strategic, operational, and cultural aspects that have shaped the nation's naval capabilities over more than a century.
Committees & topics
Topics
Command at Sea: Leadership in the Royal Australian Navy · Australian Sailors, the WRANS and the Evolution of Maritime Culture · Campaigns and Operations of the Royal Australian Navy · Securing Australia's Economic Connections to Global Trade · Building the Fleet: From HMAS Australia (I) to Ghost Shark and Nuclear Submarines · Navies, Labour Markets and Economic Development · Biography, Autobiography and Memoir in Naval History · The Changing Role of Navy in Australian Defence Strategy
Why it matters
Understanding the historical evolution of naval power, particularly in a maritime nation like AUS, is crucial for comprehending contemporary geopolitical dynamics. The conference's focus on a century and a quarter of naval history provides valuable insights into how past challenges and triumphs inform current strategic thinking and future defense planning. By examining the development of naval doctrine, technology, and personnel, participants can draw parallels to modern naval operations and the ongoing need for robust maritime forces.
This historical perspective is particularly relevant in the current global environment, where maritime security remains a paramount concern for many nations. The lessons learned from AUS's naval experiences, including its participation in various conflicts and its role in regional stability, can offer valuable guidance for policymakers and military strategists. The conference thus contributes to a broader discourse on the enduring importance of seapower in maintaining international order and protecting national interests.
How to prepare
To effectively engage with the conference material, delegates should consider preparing by reviewing key periods in AUS's naval history, including its foundational years and significant engagements. A strong understanding of the strategic context in which the Royal Australian Navy operated, both regionally and globally, will enhance participation in discussions and presentations. Familiarity with the evolution of naval technology and its impact on maritime warfare will also be beneficial.
Attendees might also benefit from exploring concepts related to national security and defense strategy. Considering the broader implications of naval history through frameworks such as the 'power-interest grid' or 'dynamic analysis' could provide a richer context for the discussions. Understanding how historical events have shaped current maritime policies and international relations will allow for more insightful contributions and a deeper appreciation of the conference's themes.
Country perspectives
Where the most-relevant 1 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.
Topics & background
The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.
Command at Sea: Leadership in the Royal Australian Navy
Key players
AustraliaSovereign authority over RAN command, doctrine and operational tasking.
United KingdomOrigin of RAN command traditions and long-standing training partner.
United StatesPrincipal alliance partner shaping coalition command arrangements.
New ZealandANZAC partner in combined maritime command and exercises.
Australian Sailors, the WRANS and the Evolution of Maritime Culture
Key players
- Australia
Home service shaping sailor identity, WRANS legacy and personnel policy.
- United Kingdom
Source of inherited customs, uniforms and ceremonial traditions.
- United States
Reference point for gender integration and modern personnel models.
CanadaComparable Commonwealth navy with parallel WRCNS/integration experience.
Campaigns and Operations of the Royal Australian Navy
Key players
- Australia
Force provider for all RAN campaigns and operations.
- United States
Coalition lead in Pacific, Korean, Vietnam and Gulf operations.
- United Kingdom
Lead partner in both world wars and Commonwealth operations.
JapanPacific War adversary and current Indo-Pacific maritime partner.
IndonesiaAdjacent maritime power, Confrontation adversary and key archipelagic partner.
Securing Australia's Economic Connections to Global Trade
Key players
- Australia
Trade-dependent state seeking to secure its sea lines of communication.
ChinaLargest trading partner and principal source of strategic competition at sea.
- United States
Alliance guarantor of the rules-based maritime order.
- Indonesia
Custodian of critical archipelagic chokepoints north of Australia.
- Japan
Major trade partner and Indo-Pacific maritime security collaborator.
SingaporeHub state controlling the Malacca-Singapore Strait.
Building the Fleet: From HMAS Australia (I) to Ghost Shark and Nuclear Submarines
Key players
- Australia
Customer and host of sovereign naval shipbuilding under AUKUS Pillar I.
- United States
Provider of Virginia-class SSNs and key combat systems.
- United Kingdom
Co-developer of SSN-AUKUS and Astute-class technology partner.
FranceFormer Attack-class submarine partner; cancelled in 2021 in favour of AUKUS.
- Japan
Selected partner for the Mogami-derived general-purpose frigate program.
Navies, Labour Markets and Economic Development
Key players
- Australia
Principal investor in naval workforce and shipbuilding precincts.
- United States
Comparator for submarine industrial base and workforce scaling.
- United Kingdom
Partner in nuclear skills pipelines through AUKUS.
South KoreaReference economy demonstrating naval shipbuilding-led industrial growth.
- Japan
Long-standing model of integrated naval and commercial shipbuilding.
Biography, Autobiography and Memoir in Naval History
Key players
- Australia
Primary subject and custodian of RAN biographical and memoir literature.
- United Kingdom
Shared archival tradition and source of comparative naval biography.
- United States
Major comparative literature on Pacific War and modern operations.
- New Zealand
Adjacent Commonwealth tradition of naval memoir and oral history.
The Changing Role of Navy in Australian Defence Strategy
Key players
- Australia
Strategy-setter integrating naval power into national defence posture.
- United States
Treaty ally anchoring force-posture and capability cooperation.
- China
Principal strategic challenger shaping Australian maritime planning.
- United Kingdom
AUKUS partner contributing to submarine and broader naval strategy.
- Japan
Special strategic partner deepening Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation.
- Indonesia
Key archipelagic neighbour central to northern approaches strategy.
Resources
News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for Seapower: To Fight and Win at Sea – 125 Years of Australian Naval History.
Recent reporting to ground your prep
Lessons
Bite-sized lessons to build the basics
Courses
Guided courses that go deeper on the topic
The states in play, with the data that shapes their stance
Related conferences
By committee
- Command at Sea: Leadership in the Royal Australian Navy
- Australian Sailors, the WRANS and the Evolution of Maritime Culture
- Campaigns and Operations of the Royal Australian Navy
- Securing Australia's Economic Connections to Global Trade
- Building the Fleet: From HMAS Australia (I) to Ghost Shark and Nuclear Submarines
- Navies, Labour Markets and Economic Development
- Biography, Autobiography and Memoir in Naval History
- The Changing Role of Navy in Australian Defence Strategy