Indo-Pacific 2022 Maritime Expo begins today
The Indo-Pacific 2022 International Maritime Exposition will begin in Sydney today.
2022 marks the exposition’s twelfth iteration. Previously known as the Pacific International Maritime Exposition, the name was changed in 2020 to reflect Australia’s new strategic regional posture.
As the only event of its kind in the Indo-Pacific region, the exposition aims to attract policymakers from a number of regional naval powers and from across the world. The exposition is directed not just at naval defense planners but also merchant mariners. On display will be technology from civilian and military maritime contractors and researchers, aimed primarily at the navies of the Indo-Pacific region who are seeking to make dynamic upgrades to their navies. Notably, the Chinese and Russian militaries have been barred by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from participating.
Expect that regional navies will announce technology procurements such as radar systems to increase interoperability, following their meetings with contractors in Sydney. Expect also that RAN will announce further details about its upcoming nuclear-powered submarine class, potentially provoking a bolstered Chinese military presence in the South China Sea. Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia, Indonesia and those that were unenthusiastic about the 2021 AUKUS submarine deal, are likely to voice concern over a more aggressive Australian military presence in the region.
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