Australia has recognized the need to expand its naval capabilities to deter these incursions; however, critical questions remain on the structure and effectiveness of its maritime defense strategy. To counter these emerging threats, Australia must enhance its maritime defense and amphibious capabilities by adopting a structured approach grounded in U.S. Navy and Marine Corps principles—specifically, sea control, power projection, and expeditionary logistics.
Australia’s naval forces, while modern and capable, currently lack the scale and logistical infrastructure to sustain operations far from shore bases. With strategic sea routes and valuable offshore resources at risk, addressing these deficiencies is urgent. To deter conflict and maintain regional stability, Australia must expand its capability set to give Beijing pause.
Such FOBs are valuable assets in the Indo-Pacific, where shore bases may be limited, vulnerable to attack, or politically challenging to establish. By incorporating multipurpose vessels and mobile offshore bases, Australia can deploy a flexible maritime force capable of responding to multiple threats across vast oceanic areas. This suite of capabilities would serve not only as a deterrent but also as a mechanism to interdict People’s Republic of China gray-zone activities, including harassment of fishing fleets, surveillance, and unmarked military vessels operating in Australia’s vicinity.
International vendors—many of whom already collaborate with the U.S. Navy—offer Australia a proven array of autonomous platforms for logistics and reconnaissance. These autonomous systems can operate in high-risk areas with limited human oversight, ensuring that essential supplies like fuel, munitions, and medical support reach forward operating units even under hostile conditions.
Initial autonomous platforms can be rapidly sourced from partners in North America, Europe, and Israel, while partnerships with Australian manufacturers can enable local production, thereby strengthening the domestic supply chain. This approach accelerates platform deployment, provides resilient sustainment options, and bolsters Australia’s maritime independence.
China’s increasing naval presence necessitates that Australia not only defend its territorial waters but also project force into contested regions when necessary.
By establishing partnerships with international shipbuilders in South Korea, Japan, and select European nations, Australia can expedite the acquisition of new amphibious platforms that meet specific expeditionary requirements.
These shipbuilders have the expertise and manufacturing capabilities to deliver advanced, resilient amphibious vessels within shorter timeframes. Furthermore, Australia can retrofit existing large commercial offshore support vessels for amphibious roles. This retrofit strategy can reduce procurement costs, shorten timelines, and enable a rapid transition to operational readiness.
In addition, these amphibious platforms could play a vital role in allied exercises and regional partnerships, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to joint defense initiatives. Amphibious ships with advanced capabilities would not only support Australia’s national security but also strengthen relationships with Pacific allies, providing a unified deterrent against PRC aggression.
Strategic investments in naval force projection, amphibious readiness, and autonomous logistics platforms are essential to maintaining a credible deterrent posture. Failure to act now may result in a diminished ability to respond effectively to future crises, risking Australia’s sovereignty, and its role as a stabilizing force in the region. The time to invest in an expanded, resilient maritime capability is now, as Australia navigates a more contested and complex security environment.