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The article reports on a continuous build program for future naval ships in Australia. The announcement of the program by former prime minister Tony Abbott brought forward the replacement of the Armidale patrol boat fleet and the Future Frigates to 2020. The competitive evaluation processes (CEP) will help make choices for these two major projects.

The article focuses on maritime strategy adopted by Australia to use the Royal Australian Navy's ability to execute manoeuvre warfare via naval mines which is a cost-effective naval weapons to destroy warships. Topics discussed include role of SEA 1778 Phase 1 along with JP 1770 Phase 1 project in providing support to deploy mine counter, use of aerospace firm Saab's SUTEC Double Eagle mine disposal vehicles, and trends of operating unmanned underwater vessels and unmanned surface vessels.

The article offers information on the impact of warships over transparency of sky as well as weather conditions. Topics discussed include use of Schiebel rotary wing Camcopter S-100 unmanned air system (UAS) by the warships; improvement required in the radar sensors used in the flying vehicle; and views of Hans Georg Schiebel, owner of Schiebel Group, on purchase of Camcopter S-100.

The article offers a review of several combat ships of Australia's naval combat force including the CANTAB RIA Class combat ship from Navantia SA, BERLIN Class from ThyssenKrupp AG and AEGIR from BMT Group Ltd.

The article reports that the New Zealand Ministry of Defence has issued a Request for Tender for a single vessel to replace New Zealand Defence Force's mine countermeasures and diving support vessel HMNZS MANAWANUI and its former hydrographic survey ship HMNZS RESOLUTION. Topics include installation of a Raytheon Vulcan Phalanx close-in weapons system, three specialist teams that are formed within the Littoral Warfare Unit, and statement of Littoral Operations Support Capability requirements.

The article offers updates on the air warfare destroyer project of the AWD Alliance as of October 2016. Topics covered include the delivery of three air warfare destroyers and their support system, reduction in timeline from a year to eight months from Ship 1 to Ship 2 to complete the installation of the Propulsion Shaft Line, and redevelopment of the Shipbuilding Management Services Provider and Alliance structures to take into account the Shipbuilding Integrated Product Team.

The article examines the naval surface programs to protect sea-borne trade in Asia-Pacific.

The article reports on Australia's Future Submarine plans to include lithium ion batteries (LiBs) for increased underwater endurance. It is said that no conventional diesel-electric submarine in the world has used LiBs for electrical power storage. LiBs are built with different types of electrodes and electrolytes to give the required power storage.

The article reports on the joint Australian Prime Minister and Defence Minister's press release on August 4, 2015, which stated that the Commonwealth Government is delivering a long-term plan for a strong and sustainable naval shipbuilding industry. The Government is set to invest over 89 billion dollars in ships and submarines for the Navy until 2035.

The article explores the challenge of protecting warships from evolving threats from underwater, surface and aerial attack in the 21st century. It outlines the views of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) head Rear-Admiral Mark Campbell on the importance of torpedo self-defence for the RAN fleet. It also discusses the principles and practice of self-defence of several warships including submarines, turret ships and mine-sweepers.

The article reports on release of the Request for Tender (RFT) by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) to supply steel patrol boats for replacing the existing boats. Topics discussed include views of Australian Defence Minister Kevin Andrews on the replacement of vessels, conceiving of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program for maritime surveillance and fisheries protection, and announcement by Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke to provide patrol boats to desired standard.

The article evaluates the ANZAC FHH warship from BAE Systems Inc.

The article reports on the 2016 Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) wherein troops from several nations including Australia, New Zealand and Tonga participated in a Pacific Ocean crossing aboard the HMAS Canberra naval ship.

The article offers information related to the project SEA 1180 Offshore Combatant Vessel (OCV) of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), a project for the development of an OCV as part of a system that has at its centre transportable and deployable mission modules, described under the 2012 Defence Capability Plan of Australia.