Australia is a coastal trading nation whose population and infrastructure remain reachable from the sea. Its prosperity and communications depend on long sea lines and a vast network of undersea cables that satellites cannot replace in volume. The figures given are roughly half a million miles of cable across about 200 interconnected systems, while satellites carry about 5 percent of communications volume in the best case described. An American withdrawal would also deepen the power vacuum felt by states already facing South China Sea disputes. Without US Navy ships and P-8 aircraft forward deployed, Australia would need more Type 26-derived anti-submarine frigates and other high-technology forces to support regional partners that can provide greater manpower and mass.
Chapter · 33:04-38:33
Australia's exposed sea lanes and undersea cables
Australia's coastal population, trade routes, and cable links make additional high-end anti-submarine frigates a regional necessity.