BLUF
The new frigates may assist in lower-risk regions, but Australia’s vast trade routes remain too extensive to be fully safeguarded—making resilience and domestic capacity more critical than distant maritime patrols.Learning Outcomes
- Analyse strategic trade vulnerabilities – The article examines why Australia’s trade routes cannot be fully protected and outlines alternative resilience strategies.
- Evaluate capability versus operational reality – It highlights the limitations of major surface ships against modern threats and discusses realistic roles for naval assets.
