Australia is undeniably a maritime nation, yet it is only recently that Australia has begun to realise the importance of its maritime interests and the need for a sound maritime strategy to defence those interests. This Working Paper considers the evolution of maritime strategic thinking and the maritime strategic concepts that are applicable to a medium power like Australia. It highlights the growing importance of Australia's maritime interests and seeks to explain some principles of Australian maritime operations that would form the basis of a strategy to defend those vital interests.
