Australian Naval Review 2018
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Australian Naval Review 2018 Australian Naval Review 2018 – Edition 1 The Australian Naval Review is the annual publication of the Australian Naval Institute (ANI). After the retirement of the quarterly Headmark, the ANI transitioned to an annual peer-reviewed journal in 2016. This is alongside the frequent publication of articles on the Institute’s website. Editorial Commodore Lee Goddard, CSC, RAN Coordinators Midshipman Eamon O’Shea, RAN Midshipman Ben Page, RAN Editorial Board Chair Professor Rob McLaughlin Board Members Commodore Richard Menhinick, AM, CSC, RAN (Retired) Dr Stephen Fruehling Dr Tom Lewis, OAM Dr John Reeve Editor Ms Kiri Mathieson Printed by Instant Colour Press, Canberra Set in Calibri 12pt ISSN 2207-2128 (Hard Copy) Copyright of the articles published in this issue, unless specified, resides with the authors. Copyright in the form of the article printed in the Australian Naval Review is held by the Australian Naval Institute. 1 Australian Naval Review 2018 Australian Naval Review 2018 – Edition 1 About the ANI The ANI is the leading forum for naval and maritime affairs in Australia. Formed in 1975, the main objectives of the ANI are: x to encourage and promote the advancement of knowledge related to the Navy and the maritime profession; and x to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas concerning subjects related to the Navy and the maritime profession. Contributing to the ANR The ANI publishes articles and comments on naval and maritime issues. Articles concerning naval strategy, operations, administration or policy are of particular interest, but we will consider all articles. Contact the ANI Secretariat at [email protected] for further information (including the Australian Naval Review’s Style Guide for prospective authors) or to submit a contribution to the Review. Disclaimer The views expressed in this review do not represent the official views of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Defence Force, the Chief of Navy or the ANI. That said, Headmark, and now the Australian Naval Review, have a proud tradition of over 40 years of contributing informed research, writing, and opinion on naval and maritime matters. ANI Membership Members of the ANI receive discounts on events run by the Institute, a copy of the annual Australian Naval Review, full access to the ANI website and the knowledge that they are contributing to the ever-important public debates on naval and maritime affairs. Further information on membership is available on the Institute’s website (www.navalinstitute.com.au) or from the ANI Secretariat ([email protected]). 2 Australian Naval Review 2018 Council President Vice Admiral Peter Jones, AO, DSC, RAN (Retired) Vice President Commodore Lee Goddard, CSC, RAN Treasurer Commander Nick Tate, RANR Secretary Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Foulkes, RAN Councillors Dr Greg Gilbert Commander Richard Hobbs, RAN (Retired) Dr Benjamin Herscovitch Captain Mat Hudson, RAN Commodore Justin Jones, CSC, RAN Midshipman Rebecca Li, RAN Mr Brian Mansell Lieutenant John Nash, RANR Commodore Alison Norris, CSC, RAN Midshipman Eamon O’Shea, RAN Midshipman Ben Page, RAN Captain Tom Phillips, RAN Brigadier Will Taylor, OBE (Retired) Lieutenant Commander Desmond Woods, RANR Business Manager Ms Sue Hart Front Cover: Australia’s Federation Guard during the Chief of Navy Change of Command Parade at Russell Offices, Canberra. Photographer: Mrs Lauren Larking. Back Cover: Outgoing Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, is received on parade by Australia's Federation Guard during the change of command parade at Russell Offices, Canberra. Photographer: Mrs Lauren Larking. 3 Australian Naval Review 2018 Table of Contents Foreword from the President ....................................................................................................... 5 Vice Admiral Peter Jones, AO, DSC, RAN (Retired) 2018 Vernon Parker Oration ......................................................................................................... 7 Ambassador John Berry (Retired) 2018 McNeil Prize ....................................................................................................................... 15 Andrew Whittaker The Navy and the Nation: A Tribute............................................................................................ 17 Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN (Retired) A Message from the Chief of Navy .............................................................................................. 23 Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN The Future of Contested Amphibious Assaults ........................................................................... 32 Josh Abbey An Introduction to Maritime Crime in West Africa ..................................................................... 51 Dr Phillip Drew, CD The Pacific Patrol Boat Program ................................................................................................. 64 Commodore Jack McCaffrie, RAN (Retired) Naval Exceptionalism - Part One ................................................................................................. 80 Captain Sean Andrews, RAN The Forgotten Force is back ........................................................................................................ 98 Associate Professor Alexey Muraviev 4 Australian Naval Review 2018 Vice Admiral Peter Jones (Retired) Foreword from the President Vice Admiral Peter Jones, AO, DSC, RAN (Retired) 2018 has been another year of growth and reinvigoration for the ANI. To many, this is symbolised by the new-look web site. Pleasingly, the Institute is on a sound financial basis and continues to steadily grow its membership and subscriber base. At the end of 2018 we will come to the close of our Strategic Plan horizon and work is underway by the Council to examine ways we can be more vibrant and relevant. This will be articulated in our Strategic Plan 2019–2021. The centrepiece of the ANI’s events is the annual Vernon Parker Oration and the award of the McNeil Prize. This year a near capacity audience heard Ambassador John Berry (retired) give an impassioned Oration on the security challenges facing the Asia Pacific region. The Oration was reported in the national media and is reproduced in full in this edition of the Australian Naval Review. The very worthy recipient of the 2018 McNeil Prize for an individual contribution to the Navy’s capability from Australian industry was Mr Andrew Whittaker, Director of Shipbuilding at Raytheon Australia. The Prize reflects the ANI’s view that industry plays a vital role in enabling the Navy to be able to fight and win at sea. It is important therefore to recognise excellence in this endeavour. 5 Australian Naval Review 2018 Foreword from the President This is the third edition of the Australian Naval Review and I hope you will share my view that it continues to grow in stature and quality. There are articles from the outgoing and incoming Chiefs of Navy as well as articles by eminent and emerging writers about the Russian Pacific Fleet, piracy, amphibious operations and naval shipbuilding. I trust you enjoy the 2018 edition of the Australian Naval Review. Vice Admiral Peter Jones, AO, DSC, RAN (Retired) President Australian Naval Institute 6 Australian Naval Review 2018 Ambassador John Berry (Retired) 2018 Vernon Parker Oration Defending Democracy Ambassador John Berry (Retired) Delivered at the 2018 Annual Dinner, held 10 May 2018 at Hotel Realm, Canberra. Distinguished guests, members of the Diplomatic Corps, ladies and gentlemen: Let me begin by thanking Vice Admiral Peter Jones, the President of the Australian Naval Institute, for the very kind invitation to join you this evening and offer this oration. It is an honour to be joined by the Patron and dear friend, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, the Chief of Navy, and special thanks to Lockheed Martin Australia for their sponsorship of this evening. It is also wonderful to see so many friends from our embassy here, along with many wonderful diplomats, academicians and members of the strategic studies community. Thank you for being here tonight. But my most heartfelt thanks go to our members from the greatest generation – heroes one and all, and dear friends who I am honoured could join us: Bill White, Andrew Robertson, Derek Holyoak and my thoughts are with Norm Tame and condolences for our recently departed Gordon Johnson and his family. These are the men who fought and survived the Battle of the Coral Sea over 76 years ago, as well as numerous other battles that secured victory in the Pacific for democracies, freedom and the rule of law. Some have travelled a long way to join us tonight – though happily not as far as they travelled last year to New York City, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of their battle. Let me tell you – they painted the town red from dawn to midnight, proving once again that Americans are no match for the steel livers of Australians – no matter their age! The many friends that you made throughout your trip, from little Italy to the battery to the decks of the Intrepid all still ask about you and send their love and highest respect to each of you! I would ask us all to rise and observe a moment of silence on behalf of Gordon Johnson, a Coral Sea and Guadalcanal veteran, who had hoped to be here tonight, and was buried yesterday in his beloved Canberra. Today, we are awakening to a new challenge that our democracies and the freedoms we love so dearly are facing. But I will argue that the new challenge