Sea Power Conference Proceedings
The Sea Power Conference began in 2000, and is conducted biennially in conjunction with the International Maritime Conference and the Pacific Exposition, at Darling Harbour in Sydney. The proceedings of the Sea Power conferences have generally been published in-house and limited copies are available (seapower.centre@defence.gov.au).
Maritime War in the 21st Century
edited by David Wilson, 2001
Abstract
This volume is the proceedings of the first Sea Power Conference held in Sydney over 1-2 February 2000. The theme of the conference was to examine the challenges faced by medium and small navies in their efforts to adapt and remain effective at the dawn of the 21st century; reconciling conflicting demands to innovate and exploit emergent technology while at the same time operating within tightly constrained budgets. The clear message from the conference was that maritime forces are here to stay and have much to contribute, not only in the future battlespace, but also in a wide range of other contingencies.
Availability
This volume is out of print and only this scanned version is available.
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The second Sea Power Conference was held in Sydney over 29-31 January 2002. It concentrated on the ‘people factor’, the central pillar of maritime operations and naval capability.
Availability
No conference proceedings were published.
edited by Jack McCaffrie, 2007
Abstract
This volume is the proceedings of the third Sea Power Conference held in Sydney over 3-5 February 2004. In the 21st century, the RAN and other navies are confronted with a new strategic environment of non-state actors, non-traditional security threats, improvements in naval technology and the need for greater naval cooperation requiring higher levels of interoperability and joint planning. How these challenges might be met are considered by the authors in this volume.
Availability
Published by Halstead Press (ISBN 1 920831 33 9). Limited copies of this volume are available in hard copy free of charge; please contact the SPC-A for a copy.
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Sea Power:
Challenges Old and New
edited by Andrew Forbes, 2007
Abstract
This volume is the proceedings of the fourth Sea Power Conference held in Sydney over 31 January - 2 February 2006. Notwithstanding a time of political uncertainty and war, the roles of navies remain the same, albeit with a changing emphasis on specific tasks: diplomatic and constabulary rather than fleet on fleet military tasks. In order to meet these challenges, navies require new equipment, logistic and scientific support, as well as improved planning processes to manage the current fleet while planning its replacement.
Availability
Published by Halstead Press (ISBN 978 1 920831 44 8) and out of print.
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Australia and its Maritime Interests:
At Home and in the Region
edited by Andrew Forbes, 2009
Abstract
This volume is the proceedings of the fifth Sea Power Conference, held in Sydney over 29-31 January 2008. Australia faces a complex security environment that is predominantly maritime in nature; the rise of China and India; tensions and potential conflict between Australia’s major trading partners in Northeast Asia; congested sea lanes and unresolved maritime boundaries in Southeast Asia; the growing importance of the Indian Ocean; and extensive Australian interests in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. In order to meet these challenges, cooperation is essential both regionally and globally, and for the RAN in particular, the impact on future roles, mission and structure; its contribution to Border Protection Command; and the role of the Australian Hydrographic Service.
Availability
Limited copies of this volume are available in hard copy free of charge; please contact the SPC-A for a copy.
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Combined and Joint Operations from the Sea
edited by Andrew Forbes, (forthcoming)
Abstract
This volume is the proceedings of the sixth Sea Power Conference held in Sydney over 27-29 January 2010. As an island nation, Australia’s maritime responsibilities are extensive and its security interests diverse. Australia is reliant on seaborne trade and maritime resources, and has the third largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world. Its long coastline, offshore territories, and seaborne trade routes require maritime forces able to respond not only to a variety of threats, but also to act cooperatively with neighbours across the full range of maritime security and humanitarian issues. This maritime response will often involve transiting long distances and lengthy deployments, necessitating an ‘expeditionary’ outlook.
The acquisition of two LHDs and associated amphibious assets require a consideration of how these new capabilities may be best used in support of Australia’s national interests. Recent Australian and allied operations are examined to provide lessons for the development of new operational concepts.
Availability
Forthcoming (2011)
The seventh Sea Power Conference will be held in Sydney over the period 31 January to 2 February 2012. It is aimed at informing how navies contribute, on a daily basis, to the defence and wellbeing of their nation and its interests. While the national security role of maritime forces during times of conflict is well-understood, navies have been involved in the ongoing task of providing ‘good order at sea’ regardless of the strategic context since their inception. Through this they ensure the economic prosperity and security of the nation by the protection of seaborne trade, the management and conservation of ocean resources, the protection and enforcement of maritime sovereignty, the conduct of oceanic scientific research, and search and rescue to list just a few of the myriad of activities undertaken. But there is also another dimension to the naval contribution to national prosperity, that being the impact of creating, developing and maintaining a navy on the national economy, through impacts on the local community, defence industry, education, employment and technology transfer.
