Defence

Navy

Sea Power Conference 2006: warships, hot issues and headlines

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN and Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, surrounded by the media scrum during a press conference at Garden Island alongside USS Pinckney
Photo by AB Brenton Freind

It's not often that a conference attracts media attention, let alone pulls a crowd. Yet that is exactly what happened at the recent Royal Australian Navy Sea Power Conference 2006, held in conjunction with the Pacific 2006 Maritime Exposition and the Pacific 2006 International Maritime Conference. Brett Mitchell explains...

The official opening of the fourth biennial Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sea Power Conference, held at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre in Sydney in late January, was heralded by the arrival of a United States (US) warship at Garden Island and three RAN warships in Cockle Bay alongside the Convention Centre.

The RAN Coastal Minehunter HMAS Hawkesbury berthed adjacent to two patrol boats, HMAS Armidale and HMAS Townsville, in Cockle Bay, much to the surprise of passers-by and diners who frequent the popular restaurants along the foreshore. Commissioned late last year, HMAS Armidale is the first of 14 Armidale Class patrol boats that will ultimately replace the Fremantle Class patrol boats. These boats provide sterling service for the nation, particularly in border and resource protection operations.

Arleigh Burke Class Air Warfare Destroyer USS Pinckney approaches Sydney in glorious
weather.
Photo by AB Brenton Freind

Meanwhile, media representatives flocked to Garden Island to await the arrival of the Arleigh Burke Class Air Warfare Destroyer, USS Pinckney. Aboard Pinckney were the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN, and the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Gary Roughead, both of whom were speakers at the Sea Power Conference. Because Pinckney's design is similar to one of those under consideration by the Australian Government for our Air Warfare Destroyer project, Pinckney and Admiral Roughead were the focus of media attention at the same time as journalists were clamouring for interviews with newly appointed Defence Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson.

More than 1000 delegates and a large contingent of naval personnel, some of whom were escort officers for visiting VIPs, attended the Pacific 2006 Congress. Australian delegates to the Sea Power Conference 2006 were joined by international delegations from 28 navies, of which a number were represented by serving Chiefs of Defence Force and Chiefs of Navy.

Warships in Cockle Bay, giving window-shoppers something different to contemplate. Newly commissioned patrol boat HMAS Armidale.
Photo by LSPHOT Bill Louys

The theme of the conference, Challenges Old and New, provided an ideal opportunity for senior naval officers, academics and military strategists to network in a relaxed atmosphere, exploring the challenges that will potentially face both Australia and our regional neighbours, and methods for combating these challenges.

Speakers were not averse to highlighting controversial issues, including the balance between international and national roles, navy force structure requirements, and connecting with the community and managing our people. The keynote address by retired Admiral Chris Barrie, a former Chief of the Defence Force, sparked significant media debate, especially over his comments on re-examining the subject of 'universal national service' for Australia. Admiral Barrie was hotly pursued by members of the media, giving dozens of interviews on radio and television on Defence engagement with the Australian community, the source of the next generation of soldiers, sailors and airmen and women, and the future of the Australian–American relationship.

Former CDF Admiral Barrie, AC, RAN, sparked significant media interest.
Photo by ABPHOT Paul Berry

Another program highlight was a conference panel on the future RAN Air Warfare Destroyer, which included the Defence Materiel Organisation's Program Manager and naval and industry experts. Mr Warren King provided an update on the complex and technically challenging Air Warfare Destroyer project, leaving his audience confident that this innovative project, with its design-led procurement philosophy, will deliver the best ship solution for the allocated money.

Personnel retention issues and initiatives were common themes in some conference presentations. Other papers covered a broad variety of subjects, ranging from the security challenges affecting regional navies and the protection of maritime resources and sea lanes, to coalition interoperability, Network-Centric Warfare and the acquisition and conversion of HMAS Sirius, which is due to replace HMAS Westralia later this year.

A panel that drew applause from a very appreciative audience was that of The Young Turks—the generation that will inherit the RAN from its present commanders. This panel—consisting of Lieutenant Commander Kate Miller, and Lieutenants David Murphy and Sam Fairall-Lee—certainly provoked sparked discussion.

[ top of page ]