Saltwater Strategists

Australian Naval Institute
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Society & Culture

In an increasingly competitive maritime environment, the Saltwater Strategists provide insightful and considered discussion on maritime issues in the Indo-Pacific. Well respected strategists, academics, international relations and maritime professionals from across the region provide their thoughts on the maritime challenges and opportunities within the region. If you want to understand current maritime issues within the Indo-Pacific region, the Saltwater Strategists: The Pacific Series is the podcast for you. The Saltwater Strategists is a product of the Australian Naval Institute (ANI). The ANI is a non-profit self-supporting organisation that encouraging the promotion and advancement of knowledge related to the maritime profession. The ANI Provides an exchange of ideas concerning issues related to the maritime profession.

  1. Jul 27

    S5 Special Episode 2 - 2026 Vernon Parker Oration- VADM Mark Hammond

    Named after Commodore Vernon Parker, a founder and inaugural President of the Australian Naval Institute, the annual Vernon Parker Oration is one of the Australian Naval Institute’s flagship events. On the 19th of May this year, the Institute was extremely honoured for the oration to be given by then-Chief of Navy and ANI Patron, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO RAN. By serendipitous circumstance, VADM Hammond had just four weeks earlier been appointed as the future Chief of the Australian Defence Force, lending this oration special poignancy. With a narrative rich in history and a deep knowledge instilled from a lengthy professional career, VADM Hammond, among broader reflections, provided a passionate and informative account of the historical and future importance of submarines to Australian seapower, and subsequently to Australian critical interests.

    S5 Special Episode 2 - 2026 Vernon Parker Oration- VADM Mark Hammond

  2. Jul 6

    5.5 'Application of Naval History and Strategy' with Sean Andrews and Knox Peden

    Application of Naval History and Strategy Dr Sean Andrews, CSC, PhD, Senior Research Fellow at the Changing Character of War Centre, University of Oxford, and Dr Knox Peden, Academic Research Officer in the Sea Power Centre - Australia and a Visiting Fellow in the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University Synopsis: Through the amalgam of their own 125-year anniversary celebrations, and a deteriorating global security environment with critical local and regional implications, 2026 sees the Royal Australian Navy dedicating significant consideration to matters of both history and strategy. In this episode of Saltwater Strategists, host Duncan MacRae sits down with Dr Sean Andrews, CSC and Dr Knox Peden to discuss the importance of both historical and strategic study, and the practical utility of their combined consideration. Drawing on their respective bodies of research and professional experience, Sean and Knox provide observations and evaluations of historical case studies, reflections on the works of key strategic and historical thinkers, and recommendations on how historical and strategy study can be employed by the modern naval practitioner. A preview of Sean’s forthcoming endeavours, ‘The Goldrick Project’ and ‘The History of Australian Sailors’, and general discussion on the work of the Seapower Centre – Australia, round out this conversation.

    5.5 'Application of Naval History and Strategy' with Sean Andrews and Knox Peden

  3. May 16

    S5 Special Episode 1 - Unpacking the Maritime Elements of the NDS 26 Webinar

    Unpacking the Maritime Elements of the 2026 National Defence Strategy The Australian Naval Institute hosted a discussion on 6 May 26 examining the maritime elements of the recently released 2026 National Defence Strategy. The panel explored what the Strategy says about Australia at sea, where capability and investment priorities are heading, and whether current settings align with Australia’s strategic circumstances and maritime requirements. The discussion examined themes including: • Australia’s maritime strategy and strategic outlook • Sea denial and sea control • Autonomy and emerging technologies • Strike and Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) • Capability priorities and delivery challenges • Australia’s ability to operate with allies and partners Panellists • VADM (Retd) Peter Jones AO DSC AM • Troy Duggan, CEO, C2 Robotics • Brigadier (Retd) Will Taylor OBE Moderator • Jennifer Parker, Adjunct Professor, Defence and Security Institute (UWA); ANI Councillor The Australian Naval Institute is Australia’s independent forum for the exchange of ideas on naval and maritime matters. For more information or to become a member, visit: www.navalinstitute.com.au

    S5 Special Episode 1 - Unpacking the Maritime Elements of the NDS 26 Webinar

  4. May 1

    5.4 'The Big Fix: Rebuilding Australia's National Security' by Albert Palazzo

    Inaugurated in 2021, The Australian Naval Institute’s Commodore Sam Bateman Book Prize is awarded annually by the ANI to recognise excellence in books making a major contribution to the study and understanding of naval and maritime matters. The Prize is sponsored by the National Shipbuilding College and is named after Commodore Sam Bateman AM RAN (1938-2020), a former ANI Councillor and strategic thinker in recognition of his efforts to raise greater awareness of naval and/or maritime matters and progressing the understanding and value of navies in society. The winner of the 2025 SBBP is Albert Palazzo and his book, ‘The Big Fix’: Rebuilding Australia’s National Security. The Big Fix is a bold and frequently scathing critique of recent Australian defence policy, framed heavily by the 2024 National Defence Strategy and AUKUS agreement. In an unashamed challenge to the status quo, Albert offers a bold and unique alternative policy perspective for Australia’s defence and in this episode of Saltwater Strategists, host Duncan MacRae sits down with Albert to unpack the book’s many controversial themes.

    5.4 'The Big Fix: Rebuilding Australia's National Security' by Albert Palazzo

  5. Apr 12

    5.3 Maritime Domain Awareness – Contemporary Perspectives with Mark Douglas, Starboard Maritime Intelligence

    Key to success in naval and maritime security operations is situational awareness. Collection and collation of battlespace data represents a significant component of operations, often long before the commencement of the main action. The concept and use of a recognised maritime picture is increasingly expanding beyond the naval and military realm with technology increasingly empowering civil security and safety organisations manage the various maritime threat vectors affecting areas such as immigration, illegal fishing, and energy and communications infrastructure under the banner of activity more broadly referred to as maritime domain awareness. In this short but insightful episode of Saltwater Strategists, Mark Douglas, former New Zealand naval officer and now maritime domain analyst with Starboard Maritime Intelligence, gives a detailed insight into how Starboard’s AI-driven platform transforms complex open- and multi-source data into a unified operational picture and delivers actionable maritime domain awareness, helping governments and industry anticipate risk, strengthen resilience, and protect global maritime interests.

    5.3 Maritime Domain Awareness – Contemporary Perspectives with Mark Douglas, Starboard Maritime Intelligence

  6. Mar 24

    5.2 A Sailor's Perspective of the Royal Australian Navy with Warrant Officer Cheryl Collins

    Host Duncan MacRae is joined by the Royal Australian Navy’s Warrant Officer Cheryl Collins, OAM CSM, currently Warrant Officer Joint Operations and the Command Senior Enlisted Leader to the Chief of Joint Operations Australia. Having joined the RAN 30 years ago as a young woman from Cootamundra in New South Wales, Cheryl’s career has seen her undertake numerous key leadership positions across training, personnel and operations, including operational service in joint, combined and multinational environments. Over the course of their discussion, Cheryl provides her perspectives as a female and as a sailor, from her initial sea postings as a Seaman Combat Systems Operator, through multiple stints as a senior sailor aboard operationally deployed warships, in operational headquarters, and to the highest echelons of enlisted leadership in the ADF. From her most recent posting as Warrant Officer Joint Operations, Cheryl offers insights to the value of the senior enlisted leader in the ADF and among our international allies and partners. Through her reflections on this vast experience, Cheryl reveals a modern sailor who is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and innovative, and concludes with some considered advice for sailors and the officers charged with leading them. John Seymour and Hugh White - National Library Event: https://www.library.gov.au/whats-on/events/australias-naval-alliances-john-seymour-and-hugh-white

    5.2 A Sailor's Perspective of the Royal Australian Navy with Warrant Officer Cheryl Collins

  7. Feb 19

    5.1 'Australia's Naval Alliances: Lessons of History' with John Seymour

    In this first episode for 2026, host Duncan MacRae sits down with John Seymour to discuss ‘Australia’s Naval Alliances: Lessons of History’, his new book exploring the development of Australian seapower and naval forces predominantly in the context of Australia’s relationship with Great Britain; from the latter years of the 19th century, through early Federation and World War I, culminating in the fall of Singapore in World War II and Australia’s subsequent turn to the United States as naval protector. Reflecting the chronological structure of the book’s analysis, Duncan and John explore critical phases of early Australian political and social debate on naval power and the country’s status as a maritime nation before turning to the book’s topical conclusion, a measured yet provocative comparison to the current AUKUS partnership. Considering the historical themes of imperialism, alliance fragility and reliability, technological advancements, cost, and national strategic interest, Australia’s Naval Alliances poses many questions such as when might the US have their ‘Singapore moment’ and how much “blind faith” are Australian policy makers and defence planners placing in the reliability and strategic intent of our allies?

    5.1 'Australia's Naval Alliances: Lessons of History' with John Seymour

  8. 12/09/2025

    4.8 'Australian Partnership in the Pacific' - with Steven Thorpe and Nick Stoker from Omni Executive

    In this final episode of Saltwater Strategists for 2025, host Duncan MacRae sits down with Omni Executive’s Steven Thorpe and Nick Stoker to discuss Australian engagement and partnership in the Pacific region. Omni, an Australian-owned business and sponsor of the Australian Naval Institute, focuses on delivering innovative national security and critical infrastructure solutions to develop Australia's sovereign capability and support the national interest. As Steven prepares to step into the role of CEO of Omni in February 2026, he and Business Development Manager, Nick, draw on the company’s experience delivering services across the Pacific, and their own unique perspectives from service in the Australian Defence Force, to provide examples and recommendations on matters such as cooperation between national security institutions, Commonwealth and Australian industry collaboration in capacity building, Government policy, and even sport to address a range of challenges facing Australia in positioning itself as a dependable and supportive partner throughout the Pacific, particularly with the island nations of the South-West Pacific.

    4.8 'Australian Partnership in the Pacific' - with Steven Thorpe and Nick Stoker from Omni Executive
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

In an increasingly competitive maritime environment, the Saltwater Strategists provide insightful and considered discussion on maritime issues in the Indo-Pacific. Well respected strategists, academics, international relations and maritime professionals from across the region provide their thoughts on the maritime challenges and opportunities within the region. If you want to understand current maritime issues within the Indo-Pacific region, the Saltwater Strategists: The Pacific Series is the podcast for you. The Saltwater Strategists is a product of the Australian Naval Institute (ANI). The ANI is a non-profit self-supporting organisation that encouraging the promotion and advancement of knowledge related to the maritime profession. The ANI Provides an exchange of ideas concerning issues related to the maritime profession.

Information

  • Creator
    Australian Naval Institute
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Saltwater Strategists

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