In this final episode of Saltwater Strategists for 2025, host Duncan MacRae sits down with Omni Executive’s Steven Thorpe and Nick Stoker to discuss Australian engagement and partnership in the Pacific region. Omni, an Australian-owned business and sponsor of the Australian Naval Institute, focuses on delivering innovative national security and critical infrastructure solutions to develop Australia's sovereign capability and support the national interest.
As Steven prepares to step into the role of CEO of Omni in February 2026, he and Business Development Manager, Nick, draw on the company’s experience delivering services across the Pacific, and their own unique perspectives from service in the Australian Defence Force, to provide examples and recommendations on matters such as cooperation between national security institutions, Commonwealth and Australian industry collaboration in capacity building, Government policy, and even sport to address a range of challenges facing Australia in positioning itself as a dependable and supportive partner throughout the Pacific, particularly with the island nations of the South-West Pacific.
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In this final episode of Saltwater Strategists for 2025, host Duncan MacRae sits down with Omni Executive’s Steven Thorpe and Nick Stoker to discuss Australian engagement and partnership in the Pacific region. Omni, an Australian-owned business and sponsor of the Australian Naval Institute, focuses on delivering innovative national security and critical infrastructure solutions to develop Australia's sovereign capability and support the national interest.
As Steven prepares to step into the role of CEO of Omni in February 2026, he and Business Development Manager, Nick, draw on the company’s experience delivering services across the Pacific, and their own unique perspectives from service in the Australian Defence Force, to provide examples and recommendations on matters such as cooperation between national security institutions, Commonwealth and Australian industry collaboration in capacity building, Government policy, and even sport to address a range of challenges facing Australia in positioning itself as a dependable and supportive partner throughout the Pacific, particularly with the island nations of the South-West Pacific.
3.9 'PLA Navy: Charting China’s Maritime Ambitions' - Thomas Shugart
Saltwater Strategists
44 minutes 3 seconds
1 year ago
3.9 'PLA Navy: Charting China’s Maritime Ambitions' - Thomas Shugart
In this episode of the Australian Naval Institute’s Saltwater Strategists, host Jen Parker is joined by Tom Shugart, a prominent expert in naval and defence strategy, to discuss the evolving power of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). With a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy and deep expertise in analysing naval capabilities, Tom provides a detailed analysis of China's maritime ambitions.
Jen and Tom delve into key topics, including the PLAN's modernisation efforts, the strategic role of submarines in China’s maritime strategy, and the growing significance of uncrewed naval platforms. They also explore recent developments, such as the reported sinking of a Chinese nuclear submarine, examining what this incident might reveal about the operational challenges facing the PLAN.
Drawing comparisons with the U.S. Navy and allied forces, the discussion highlights both strengths and weaknesses in the PLAN’s operational approaches, and Tom offers insights into where China's naval forces may head in the coming decade, including potential areas of future investment.
This episode offers listeners a comprehensive overview of how the PLA Navy is positioning itself as a major maritime power and what this means for broader Indo-Pacific security dynamics.
Saltwater Strategists
In this final episode of Saltwater Strategists for 2025, host Duncan MacRae sits down with Omni Executive’s Steven Thorpe and Nick Stoker to discuss Australian engagement and partnership in the Pacific region. Omni, an Australian-owned business and sponsor of the Australian Naval Institute, focuses on delivering innovative national security and critical infrastructure solutions to develop Australia's sovereign capability and support the national interest.
As Steven prepares to step into the role of CEO of Omni in February 2026, he and Business Development Manager, Nick, draw on the company’s experience delivering services across the Pacific, and their own unique perspectives from service in the Australian Defence Force, to provide examples and recommendations on matters such as cooperation between national security institutions, Commonwealth and Australian industry collaboration in capacity building, Government policy, and even sport to address a range of challenges facing Australia in positioning itself as a dependable and supportive partner throughout the Pacific, particularly with the island nations of the South-West Pacific.
