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.
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.
6 Jul 2026
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.
16 May 2026
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
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6 ratings
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