Updated 24 December 2025

Indo-Pacific 2025

Sydney hosted the Indo-Pacific 2025 international maritime exposition from 4-6 November. As its name suggests, this exhibition focuses on naval equipment and developments, primarily those that relate to Australia. While it was well attended, there was a lack of breaking news at the 2025 event. This is because most of Australia’s big procurement decisions have already been made – SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines, heavy landing craft and Improved Mogami frigates from Japan, for example. There are really not that many current programmes open to competition right at the moment.

It is obvious that nuclear-powered submarines – first, second-hand Virginia-class boats from the US Navy, and then later new SSN-AUKUS submarines built in conjunction with the UK – are absorbing vast amounts of money. Because the government cannot have new submarines and everything else that it wants at the same time, priorities have had to be imposed. One of those decisions is delaying a renewed mine countermeasures capability for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The navy admitted that mine countermeasures will be maintained at a minimal viable capability until the early 2030s, when it will move up the list of priorities.

Another important programme for the RAN is the life-of-type extension for six Collins-class submarines. At the same time as the RAN prepares for new SSNs, and trains crews, it must keep its existing Collins-class boats at peak condition. This LOTE effort will commence on the first submarine next year, though there has been no confirmation yet what the refurbishment will entail. However, it is assumed that each boat will be treated differently depending on what remedial work is required. One highlight of Indo-Pacific 2025 was a ship tour of HMAS Arafura, the first-of-class offshore patrol boat built by Luerssen. These are capable boats, but the RAN has no intention of using them for anything other than constabulary tasks, and naval diplomacy around the South Pacific.