Advertisement
Opinion | Even before Aukus, Southeast Asian nations have been busy shoring up their maritime capabilities
- Securing choke points and vital waterways has become more challenging as maritime spats between neighbours fester and great-power rivalry gathers force
- Countries have embarked on multi-year modernisation programmes, acquiring new and refurbished ships and submarines
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
The Aukus deal that will equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines may have caught many by surprise. Southeast Asian countries have expressed concern about the development. But they, too, have been shoring up their maritime capabilities in recent years in response to evolving threats.
Even the pandemic is unlikely to reverse this trend and will, at best, only delay some acquisitions. Maintaining regional stability as they upgrade their maritime inventory is crucial.
The momentum to modernise naval and coastguard fleets in Southeast Asia is growing. Countries in the region are reversing years of underinvestment in their seafaring capabilities, decommissioning expensive-to-maintain legacy assets and catching up with neighbours.
Advertisement
Covid-19 has done little to curb the proliferation of maritime threats. Securing choke points like the Strait of Malacca and vital waterways like the South China Sea has become more challenging.
Maritime spats between neighbours are continuing to fester. China’s naval might is growing. US freedom of navigation operations are intensifying. European navies are increasing their forays into the region’s waters.
03:10
US submarine strikes unknown underwater object in disputed South China Sea
US submarine strikes unknown underwater object in disputed South China Sea
Great power rivalry, which also plays out in contested maritime spaces, is gathering force. The Aukus alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States is but the latest addition to this simmering mix.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x