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/
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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/
Episode 30: Indo-Pacific Maritime Round-Up – 22 May 2025: Regional deployments and new capabilities
Maritime Matters
46 minutes 2 seconds
5 months ago
Episode 30: Indo-Pacific Maritime Round-Up – 22 May 2025: Regional deployments and new capabilities
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
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/
