Sentry Staff
In a demonstration of enhanced military cooperation, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States recently conducted a joint naval exercise named “Maritime Big Play.” This exercise, which took place in the strategically significant waters of the Indo-Pacific region and concluded in October 2024, is a key component of the trilateral security partnership among the three nations, known as AUKUS.
The exercise involved a series of complex maneuvers designed to test the capabilities and coordination of the participating navies. These included antisubmarine warfare, live-fire drills and amphibious operations. The focus was not only on tactical proficiency but also on the integration of advanced technologies and intelligence-sharing mechanisms outlined in AUKUS Pillar 2.
“AUKUS Pillar 2 is designed to harness the combined industrial and innovation bases of the trilateral partners to ensure that our forces are equipped with cutting edge interoperable military capabilities and prepared to face down aggression in whatever form it may take,” Madeline Mortelmans, acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities, said in a U.S. Defense Department news release. “In Pillar 2, we’re building a more capable combined joint force for the future, working across the full spectrum of capability development and we’re already delivering.”
During Maritime Big Play, AUKUS partners tested and refined their ability to jointly operate uncrewed maritime systems, share and process naval data, and provide real-time maritime domain awareness in support of decision-making.
“The exercise is a critical platform for enhancing interoperability between our forces,” Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, Australia’s Chief of Navy, said during a news briefing. “By working closely with our U.S. counterparts, we ensure that our navies can operate seamlessly together, which is crucial for strategic deterrence and for meeting the challenges posed by the evolving security environment.”
The exercise also featured the participation of several high-tech platforms, including the U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers and Australia’s Hobart-class air warfare destroyers. These vessels are equipped with the latest sensors and weaponry designed to counter a wide range of threats.
Exercises such as Maritime Big Play provide an essential role in testing force readiness and ensuring that Allies and Partners can respond effectively to any contingency. Lessons learned during such drills help inform future operations and enhance strategic deterrence posture.
The strategic significance of Maritime Big Play cannot be overstated. The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly viewed as a geopolitical hotspot, with rising tensions and the potential for miscalculation. The presence of the Australian and U.S. navies in these waters serves as a powerful deterrent to actors seeking to challenge the stable and open international system.
AUKUS, announced in September 2021, represents a significant shift in the strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific. One of its primary objectives is to bolster the defense capabilities of its member nations against emerging threats. Maritime Big Play is a tangible manifestation of this commitment, bringing together the military prowess and technological expertise of Australia, the U.K. and the United States and highlighting their deepening ties under the AUKUS framework.
Maritime Big Play also underscored the importance of strategic deterrence and the integration of advanced technologies in maintaining regional stability. As the security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific continue to evolve, such joint exercises will play a pivotal role in ensuring that allied forces remain prepared and capable of addressing any challenges that may arise.
“Maritime Big Play is more than an exercise; it is a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to freedom of navigation and regional stability,” Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of Naval Operations for the U.S. Navy, said during an October 2024 news briefing. “This exercise is vital for ensuring that our naval forces remain prepared to face emerging threats and challenges together.”
Franchetti also noted the importance of technological integration in the exercise. “Incorporating advanced technologies, such as cyber capabilities and artificial intelligence, into our naval operations is essential for maintaining a competitive edge,” she said. “Maritime Big Play allows us to test and refine these technologies in a realistic and challenging environment, aligning perfectly with the objectives of AUKUS Pillar 2.”
Mortelmans said Maritime Big Play will grow and evolve over time, reflecting the emerging technologies, new systems and new operational requirements of allied forces.
“It will grow, it will evolve as the world changes around us and as we break down the old barriers to cooperation and inevitably discover new ones,” Mortelmans said. “Maritime Big Play isn’t just a demonstration for demonstration’s sake. It’s our goal to transition cutting edge technologies into capabilities that give our forces decisive advantage as quickly as we can.”