Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned that the seabed is becoming a new frontline of global conflict, as he announced a new AUKUS initiative to counter threats to undersea cables. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's largest annual defence and security summit, Marles highlighted the increasing vulnerability of critical submarine infrastructure.
Seabed Becoming a Battlefield
Marles stated that the seabed is "becoming a battlefield" and that "the shadow fleet is becoming a weapon." He emphasized that the chokepoints through which regional prosperity flows are under unprecedented pressure in the modern era. The minister pointed to recent incidents involving undersea cables, including five damaged in the Taiwan Strait over the past 18 months and three in the Baltic Sea, allegedly by China and Russia respectively.
Accidents or Intentional Acts?
"Now, maybe these were accidents. But even if they were, it highlights the vulnerability of this crucial part of the globe's infrastructure," Marles said. "If they were intentional, we are left to wonder: are countries testing our response times, testing our attribution thresholds and testing our political will to respond?"
Australia-China Relations
Marles also discussed the stabilisation of relations between Australia and China, calling it "genuinely important." He expressed Australia's desire for a stable and productive relationship with China, which he believes is achievable. He urged China to commit to transparency regarding its maritime operations and to uphold international law for managing and resolving disputes, as this would contribute to regional stability.
New AUKUS Project Under Pillar Two
Following meetings with US and UK counterparts in Singapore, Marles announced the first project under the AUKUS agreement's Pillar Two. The project aims to "significantly enhance AUKUS partners' ability to protect critical national seabed infrastructure." The technology, expected to be delivered by 2027, will be attached to uncrewed submarines and will deploy cutting-edge surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities. It will also conduct logistics operations and bolster superiority in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
US Defence Secretary Praises Australia
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Australia for "stepping up" and criticised other Pacific allies for seeking a "free ride" and relying on "the generosity of the American taxpayer." He stated that the US and its allies are moving towards a model of true partnership, away from dependency. "The era of the United States subsidising the defence of wealthy nations is over," he said.
Hegseth acknowledged Australia's increased defence spending, along with South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Japan. "Australia is stepping up," he said. "Together we are expanding the rotational presence of US forces and collaborating to ensure our defence industrial base builds and sustains weapons required for a high-end fight. We appreciate Australia's investment in real combat power and the commitment to integrate more deeply with the US Joint Force."
The Trump administration has called for Australia to increase its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.
