Saltwater Strategists

Australian Naval Institute

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

    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

    1h 16m
  2. 5.4 'The Big Fix: Rebuilding Australia's National Security' by Albert Palazzo

    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.

    32 min
  3. 5.3 Maritime Domain Awareness – Contemporary Perspectives with Mark Douglas, Starboard Maritime Intelligence

    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.

    32 min
  4. 5.2 A Sailor's Perspective of the Royal Australian Navy with Warrant Officer Cheryl Collins

    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

    43 min
  5. 5.1 'Australia's Naval Alliances: Lessons of History' with John Seymour

    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?

    48 min
  6. 4.8 'Australian Partnership in the Pacific' - with Steven Thorpe and Nick Stoker from Omni Executive

    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.

    32 min
  7. 4.7 'A Maritime Strategy For Australia 2035 - AMS 2035' with Peter Jones and Jennifer Parker

    12/01/2025

    4.7 'A Maritime Strategy For Australia 2035 - AMS 2035' with Peter Jones and Jennifer Parker

    The recent Indo-Pacific Maritime Trade Exposition and the Royal Australian Navy’s Seapower Conference was the venue for the launch of ‘A Maritime Strategy for Australia – AMS 2035’, a monograph from the Naval Studies Group at the University of New South Wales (Canberra). This timely publication brings together research and analysis from a group of distinguished authors; presenting strategic, policy and practical thinking in support of its ultimate call for the development of a holistic and desperately needed national maritime strategy for Australia. In this episode of Saltwater Strategists, host Duncan MacRae is joined by the two editors of AMS 2035, Peter Jones and Jennifer Parker, to discuss the publication. Drawing on the ‘Ends-Ways-Means’ structure of the monograph, the conversation investigates Australia’s geopolitical situation and the implications of the maritime nature of Australia’s strategic position before considering the varying elements and stakeholders involved in a comprehensive national maritime strategy. The episode then concludes with a review of some of the study’s recommendations for implementing this strategy. UNSW Naval Studies Group - https://www.unsw.edu.au/canberra/about-us/our-schools/hass/our-research/maritime-security/naval-studies-group

    56 min
  8. 4.6 A Maritime Awakening: The Future of the Royal Australian Navy with Vice Admiral Mark Hammond

    09/04/2025

    4.6 A Maritime Awakening: The Future of the Royal Australian Navy with Vice Admiral Mark Hammond

    In this episode of the Australian Naval Institute’s (ANI) Saltwater Strategists, special guest host and ANI Councillor Jen Parker is joined by Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy and Patron of the ANI, to discuss the Navy’s transformation in the face of a rapidly changing maritime environment. Vice Admiral Hammond reflects on the milestones of his tenure as Chief of Navy, including the announcement of the upgraded Mogami-class General Purpose Frigate, the integration of enhanced missile capabilities, and the release of the National Defence Strategy with its strong maritime focus. The conversation explores how the Navy is reshaping its surface combatant and submarine fleet under AUKUS and the Surface Combatant Review, while also grappling with challenges of fleet readiness and lethality. Admiral Hammond highlights the implications of a changing maritime threat environment, underscoring the need for a capable, adaptive force. Looking ahead, Vice Admiral Hammond outlines the Navy’s priorities for the coming decade: deepening interoperability with allies and partners such as the United States and Japan, strengthening combat power, and preparing the fleet for high-end warfare. He also reflects on the Navy’s heritage as it approaches its 125th anniversary in 2026 and shares his vision for what the Navy should look like by 2030. This episode offers listeners a rare insight into how the Royal Australian Navy is navigating a pivotal moment in Australia’s defence strategy, delivering the people, partnerships, and platforms needed for the maritime century.

    59 min
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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
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Saltwater Strategists

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