ISSUE 182 : Jul/Aug - 2010 - Australian Defence Force Journal

ConclusionsThis article took the current Defence White Paper as its starting point. The document containsa clear intent for Australia to develop a capability for ‘hard’ maritime power, particularlyrelating to our capacity to detect and respond to submarines in the ADF’s primary operationalenvironment. It also identifies the need to develop our information superiority capability andsituational awareness in the undersea domain. In order to achieve this, Australia needs tomaintain and further develop a state-of-the-art oceanographic capability which, by workingwith partners in the broader marine context, can be done for a modest investment. The RANhas already developed what might be called a ‘first generation’ oceanographic capability,establishing it in the top rank of world navies in this regard. The future development of thiscapability can largely be achieved by reaching out into agencies outside Defence. This ‘softpower’ approach establishes influence throughout the region through research, commercialinnovation, the development of a broad-based infrastructure and effective stewardship ofthe oceans.The OPSAG ‘A Marine Nation’ and ASPI ‘Sea Change’ reports highlight our dependence onthe oceans and make a number of recommendations designed to promote Australia as aconfident, regional maritime power. This can only be achieved by developing a higher level ofunderstanding and awareness of the oceans, through increased efforts in marine science andtechnology. Both reports recommend a more coordinated approach to oceans managementand maritime affairs. Finally, we need to develop our national capacity for managing andprotecting the oceans and hence promoting our national interests.So what does this mean for Force 2030? Effective operation of our new submarines will dependheavily on good hydrographic and oceanographic knowledge of their likely operational areas.Our future amphibious forces will need to know about longshore currents, the locations ofrips, tidal streams and ocean currents, in order to land safely on the beach. Planners willneed accurate charts and knowledge of the wave and surf conditions on the target beach. Inundersea warfare, we will need to know how sonars will perform, the locations of fronts andeddies, and how a submarine might hide in them.We will also need oceanographic information to inform decision making on the best searchplan to use and the most effective depth for a sonar to be positioned, in order to gain thebest possibility of a detection. In the above-water battle, an approaching cold front couldradically change radar propagation conditions. A state-of-the-art, coupled ocean-atmospheremodel will enable such an event to be predicted and prepared for. Although the ADF cannotfight a maritime engagement or meet the military mission armed only with oceanographicinformation, it will be difficult to win without it.12