Episode 30: Indo-Pacific Maritime Round-Up – 22 May 2025: Regional deployments and new capabilities

Maritime Matters Episode Title: Indo-Pacific Maritime Round-Up – 22 May 2025: Regional deployments and new capabilities In this episode of Maritime Matters Jennifer Parker (https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/) and Richard Dunley (https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/richard...) discuss the week that was in Maritime Matters, including: 🎙️ Episode snapshot Jen and Richard break down a busy fortnight across the Indo-Pacific: HMAS Sydney heads to North Korea sanctions duty and Indo-Pacific Endeavour gets a makeover. We also run the rule over new submarines for Singapore, front-line frigates for Japan and the Philippines. Stick around for a “Did You Know?” on Sydney’s Captain Cook Graving Dock. Regional developments ▪ HMAS Sydney joins Operation ARGOS ▪ Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 shifts to fly-in teams ▪ Mexican tall ship Cuauhtémoc bridge strike ▪ Houthis, Red Sea & Oman-brokered deal Capability corner ▪ Singapore orders two more Type-218SG subs ▪ Philippines commissions BRP Miguel Malvar corvette ▪ Japan’s 7th Mogami-class frigate Niyodo—first with Mk 41 VLS Did You Know? Captain Cook Graving Dock—Australia’s only dock big enough for every RAN class (opened 24 March 1945) 🔗 Jen & Richard's recent work: Richard Undersea cable control: The information dimension https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/undersea-cable-control-information-dimension ‘Deterrence’—an agreeable word that obscures strategic debate https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/deterrence-an-agreeable-word-that-obscures-strategic-debate/ Inhumane, treacherous or uselessly cruel? Debating underwater weapons, 1880–1939 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23337486.2025.2509450 Jen To strengthen defence, Canberra and London must turn good will into actual capability https://www.jennifer-parker.com.au/post/to-strengthen-defence-canberra-and-london-must-turn-good-will-into-actual-capability The Echidna Needs to Swim: Cut Off by Sea: How to Defeat Australia Without Firing a Shot. https://chrisuhlmann.substack.com/p/the-echidna-needs-to-swim 🔗 Links & resources ADF release – HMAS Sydney joins Operation ARGOS (12 May 25) https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2025-05-12/hmas-sydney-deployed-sanctions-enforcement-against-north-korea ADF release – Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 announced (13 May 25) https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-05-13/indo-pacific-endeavour-embarks-new-phase Sea Power Centre-Australia, Soundings No. 16 (background on IPE) https://seapower.navy.gov.au/publications-and-research/indo-pacific-endeavour-reflections-and-proposals-australias-premier-naval-diplomacy-activity