Maintaining sovereignty, securing and defending Australia

Australia claims the third largest maritime jurisdiction in the world, with a vast marine estate spanning 13.86 million square kilometres. With stakes in the management and security of waters in three of the four major oceans (Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans), and the three seas located to its North (Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas), Australia’s national security depends on maintaining strong maritime borders, and ensuring a stable regional order and global maritime environment. This article discusses Australia’s security environment and examines how science and technology can support efforts to deter, prevent and defeat threats to its sovereignty, security and national interests. This article identifies core security imperatives for Australia, and the associated infrastructure, capabilities, technologies and tools required to defend its interests. It offers recommendations on how Australia could effectively leverage science and technology to enhance maritime security arrangements, and protect Australia’s sovereignty, resources and borders over the next decade.