This volume is the proceedings of the sixth Sea Power Conference held in Sydney over 27-29 January 2010. As an island nation, Australia's maritime responsibilities are extensive and its security interests diverse. Australia is reliant on seaborne trade and maritime resources, and has the third largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world. Its long coastline, offshore territories, and seaborne trade routes require maritime forces able to respond not only to a variety of threats, but also to act cooperatively with neighbours across the full range of maritime security and humanitarian issues. This maritime response will often involve transiting long distances and lengthy deployments, necessitating an 'expeditionary' outlook.
The acquisition of two LHDs and associated amphibious assets require a consideration of how these new capabilities may be best used in support of Australia's national interests. Recent Australian and allied operations are examined to provide lessons for the development of new operational concepts.
