Reimagining Maritime Security: Australia’s Collaborative Approach to Uncrewed Systems
Australia faces one of the world’s most daunting maritime security challenges. With 37,000 kilometers of coastline and the third-largest exclusive economic zone globally, the Australian Maritime Border Command must protect an area so vast that traditional approaches simply cannot scale effectively.
To put this in perspective, Australia’s maritime responsibility covers more ocean than the entire continental United States, stretching from tropical waters in the north to the Southern Ocean, encompassing shipping lanes vital to global commerce and fishing grounds that support both local communities and international fleets.
But rather than accepting these limitations, The Australian Maritime Border Commander under the leadership of Rear Admiral Brett Sonter is pioneering a fundamentally different approach. He is leading quiet revolution in security/defence thinking, moving away from traditional acquisition paradigms toward collaborative innovation that delivers results faster, more affordably, and with greater operational relevance than would be possible if USVs were simply considered to be science projects marking their way through a conventional procurement processes.
The Geography of Challenge
Understanding the scale of Australia’s maritime security challenge requires grappling with numbers that defy easy comprehension. The country’s exclusive economic zone spans approximately 8.2 million square kilometers larger than the continental United States and roughly equivalent to the size of Brazil. This maritime domain includes everything from busy shipping corridors near major ports to remote stretches of ocean hundreds of miles from the nearest land.
Within this vast area, the Maritime Border Command must detect and respond to illegal fishing, drug smuggling, people trafficking, environmental violations, and potential security threats. Traditional approaches might suggest building more patrol boats, hiring more crew, and establishing more bases but the mathematics of such an approach quickly become prohibitive. Even a fleet of hundreds of vessels could not provide meaningful coverage across such distances.
This geographic reality has forced innovative thinking. Rather than trying to be everywhere at once, the challenge becomes creating a system that can detect activities of interest across vast areas and respond appropriately with limited resources. This is where uncrewed systems offer transformative potential, not as replacements for human judgment and capability, but as force multipliers that extend human reach and effectiveness.
Breaking the Traditional Acquisition Mold
The story begins with a failed experiment that, in many organizations, would have ended the conversation entirely. A previous six-month trial of uncrewed surface vessels had produced results that were, in Sonter’s words, “were not encouraging,” as he explained in our discussion at the end of July 2025. The technology underperformed expectations, the integration proved difficult, and the tactical achievements were disappointing. In the normal course of defence procurement, such results would likely have led to years of reviews, revised requirements, and eventually a completely different approach.
But rather than writing off the technology due to initial poor results, Sonter recognized something crucial: the failure wasn’t in the technology itself, but in the approach to the adoption of the technology. Traditional procurement processes, administration, lengthy requirements development, and multi-year timelines, were fundamentally ill suited to the rapidly evolving world of unscrewed systems. These technologies mature and change so quickly that by the time traditional acquisition processes produce results, the underlying technology has often evolved and advanced beyond recognition.
“The key benefit of this collaboration is the fact that the end user, in this case the operational commander and the industry technology partner are talking face to face,” Sonter explains. This direct engagement allowed for real-time feedback, rapid iteration, and the kind of deep understanding that emerges only through sustained collaboration. It’s an approach that treats capability development as an ongoing conversation rather than a one-time transaction burdened by process for process sake
This shift represents a fundamental change in the relationship between military operators and industry innovators. Instead of the military defining requirements in isolation and industry responding with proposals, both sides work together to understand the operational challenges and explore technological possibilities. The result is solutions that neither side could have developed independently.
The Power of Direct Engagement
When Sonter took command in January 2024, he brought fresh eyes to the uncrewed systems challenge. Via the provision of uncrewed capability from Defence and specifically the Royal Australian Navy, [BS1] Sonter initiated a new collaboration with an Australian company, but this time with a different philosophy. Rather than starting with technical specifications or formal requirements documents, the collaboration began with operational commanders and industry engineers working side by side to understand the real-world challenges of maritime patrol.
This approach allowed for the kind of nuanced understanding that formal requirements processes often miss. Industry partners could see firsthand how maritime patrol operations actually work, the environmental challenges, the crew limitations, the decision-making processes, the legal requirements. Military operators could understand the technical possibilities and constraints in ways that specification sheets never convey.
The results were immediate and dramatic. Problems that had seemed intractable in the previous trial became solvable when both sides fully understood the context. Technical capabilities that had seemed irrelevant proved crucial when operators could explain their real needs. Most importantly, both sides developed the trust and communication patterns necessary for ongoing innovation.
Setting Ambitious Goals
When Sonter visited the Australian company deploying their systems in Darwin during the first half of 2024, they were rightfully proud of achieving detection ranges of two to three nautical miles, which was a significant improvement over previous capabilities. But when they asked about his requirements, Sonter deliberately set what he knew was a seemingly impossible target: 20 nautical miles.
This wasn’t unrealistic expectation or unfair pressure; rather it was strategic leadership.
Sonter’s approach wasn’t just about setting high targets. It was about creating a collaborative framework for reaching them. Rather than simply demanding better performance, he worked with the company to understand what would be required to achieve such capabilities and how operational concepts might evolve to take advantage of improved technology.
By giving the company, a clear, ambitious goal, Sonter provided them with a “north star” that drove innovation in ways that incremental improvements never could. The company took this challenge seriously, working to understand not just the technical requirements but the operational context driving them.
By setting targets that require breakthrough thinking rather than incremental improvement, leaders can inspire the kind of creative problem-solving that produces genuine advances. In this case, the 20-nautical-mile goal forced the company to rethink their entire approach to sensor integration, data processing, and platform design.
The impact extended beyond just detection range. Working toward such an ambitious goal forced both sides to think holistically about the system, not just sensors, but data processing, communications, platform endurance, maintenance requirements, and integration with existing operations. The result was innovation across multiple dimensions simultaneously.
From Platforms to Payloads
One of the most significant insights I took away from this collaboration is the shift from thinking about platforms to thinking about payloads and effects. Traditional acquisition focuses on buying ships, aircraft, or vehicles or discrete pieces of equipment with defined specifications and capabilities. Sonter’s approach focuses on the capabilities these platforms deliver via the sensors, the data, the operational effects that actually matter for mission success.
I raised in our discussion that as long as the platform is viable, one is clearly focused on what the payload can deliver. This payload-centric thinking allows for much greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness, as different payloads can be optimized for different operational environments and requirements.
Consider the implications: instead of buying a specific type of uncrewed vessel, Australia can focus on the sensing, communication, and data processing capabilities needed for maritime patrol. Different platforms might be optimal for different areas, for example, what works in the rough seas off Western Australia might be completely inappropriate for the calm waters of the Great Barrier Reef. But the payloads that provide maritime domain awareness could be common across platforms.
This approach also enables much more rapid adaptation to changing requirements. New sensors can be integrated as they become available. Software updates can add new capabilities. Platform designs can evolve without requiring complete program restarts. The focus shifts from acquisition of fixed assets to development of evolving capabilities.
The payload-centric approach also changes the economics of defence procurement dramatically. Instead of large, infrequent platform purchases, military organizations can make smaller, more frequent investments in payload improvements. This reduces risk, enables faster adaptation to new threats, and allows for more experimentation with emerging technologies.
Building Security Clusters
The Maritime Border Command project has evolved far beyond simple uncrewed patrol boats operating in isolation. Sonter is now developing what he calls “security clusters” or integrated teams combining uncrewed surface vessels, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and crewed platforms, all working together under a hybrid command structure that balances centralized oversight with decentralized execution.
These “security clusters” represent a new operational concept that takes advantage of the unique capabilities of different platform types. Uncrewed surface vessels provide persistent presence and can carry heavy sensor payloads for extended periods. Uncrewed aerial vehicles offer rapid response and the ability to investigate contacts quickly across large areas. Crewed platforms bring human judgment, legal authority, and the capability to conduct interdictions and boardings.
The concept of teaming between crewed and uncrewed systems has been discussed theoretically for years, but Sonter’s approach provides practical insights into how this hybrid approach actually works. “It’s not simply a matter of having different types of platforms operating in the same area. It requires careful orchestration of capabilities, clear communication protocols, and operational concepts that leverage the strengths of each system type”.
For example, an uncrewed surface vessel might detect a contact of interest and begin tracking it while transmitting data to a command center. An uncrewed aerial vehicle could be launched to provide additional perspective and closer inspection. Only if the situation warrants human intervention would a manned vessel be dispatched, arriving with detailed information about the contact and clear evidence of any violations.
This teaming concept addresses a fundamental challenge in uncrewed systems: how to leverage their strengths while compensating for their limitations. Uncrewed systems excel at persistence, can operate in dangerous environments, and don’t suffer from crew fatigue. But Australia’s maritime border mission requires human judgment for interdiction, boarding, and law enforcement, activities that will always require manned platforms for both practical and legal reasons.
The “security cluster” concept also enables new approaches to command and control. Instead of everything being centrally controlled from headquarters, operational decision-making can be distributed to the level where the best information is available. Local commanders can coordinate responses using available assets, while higher headquarters maintains oversight and can provide additional resources when needed.
The Economics of Smart Defence
Beyond the tactical advantages, this approach delivers significant economic benefits that extend far beyond simple cost savings. By using uncrewed systems for initial detection and surveillance, Australia can reserve its expensive crewed assets for situations that truly require human intervention. This isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about fundamental economics of force structure and operations.
Consider the full cost of deploying a crewed patrol vessel: fuel, crew salaries, maintenance, port facilities, training, insurance, and depreciation. For routine surveillance missions, these costs can be enormous relative to the intelligence value gained. An uncrewed system, by contrast, has much lower operating costs and can remain on station for extended periods without the human factors that limit manned operations.
The personnel implications are equally significant. Maritime patrol operations are demanding on crew, particularly in remote areas and difficult weather conditions. By reducing the number of routine patrols required, uncrewed systems can improve crew rest, reduce turnover, and allow personnel to focus on missions that truly require their skills and judgment.
Evidence-Based Operations
Traditional maritime patrol often involves making decisions based on incomplete information, a vessel behaving suspiciously, radio calls that don’t quite add up, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These situations can lead to tense confrontations, legal challenges, and significant resource expenditure for uncertain outcomes.
When crewed assets now respond to a potential violation identified through uncrewed surveillance, they arrive armed with photographic evidence, sonar data, detailed tracking information, and often extended observation of the suspect vessel’s behavior. This evidence not only improves the likelihood of successful prosecutions but also reduces the risk of confrontational situations escalating unnecessarily.
“You’re delivering greater persistence, and therefore assurance on the decision to interdict which requires the few crewed assets available” Sonter explains. “This improved validation ensures I am not wasting valuable resources, improves crew morale by ensuring their time is spent on meaningful missions, and strengthens the legal foundation for enforcement actions”.
The legal implications are particularly significant in maritime law enforcement. Courts require evidence that meets strict standards, and witness testimony can be challenged or contradicted. High-quality sensor data, properly collected and documented, provides the kind of evidence that supports successful prosecutions and deters future violations.
This evidence-based approach also improves international relations and reduces diplomatic complications. When Australia takes enforcement action against foreign vessels, having clear documentation of violations reduces the likelihood of bilateral concerns and provides a factual foundation for any necessary discussions with other governments.
Command and Control Evolution
The development of security clusters has forced innovation in command-and-control concepts that extends far beyond uncrewed systems. Traditional maritime patrol operations are typically controlled centrally, with headquarters making deployment decisions and directing specific missions. This centralized approach works well for routine operations but can be too slow and inflexible for the dynamic situations that uncrewed systems enable.
Sonter’s approach combines centralized oversight with decentralized execution, allowing local commanders to coordinate available assets in response to developing situations while maintaining higher-level awareness and control. This hybrid approach takes advantage of the detailed local knowledge that comes from working with unmanned systems while preserving the strategic perspective that centralized command provides.
The technical aspects of this command evolution are significant but often overlooked. Uncrewed systems generate enormous amounts of data that must be processed, analyzed, and acted upon. Traditional command structures weren’t designed for this volume and velocity of information. New approaches to data management, automated analysis, and human-machine teaming are required to make effective use of uncrewed system capabilities.
There’s also a training and culture dimension to this evolution. Personnel at all levels must learn to work with uncrewed systems, interpret their data, and integrate their capabilities into operational planning. This requires new training programs, revised procedures, and sometimes fundamental changes in how maritime patrol operations are conceptualized and executed.
A Template for Regional Cooperation
Perhaps most significantly, this approach offers a template that could transform regional maritime cooperation across the Pacific and beyond. Traditional military cooperation often involves expensive platforms and complex agreements, payload-focused collaboration could enable much more flexible partnerships that respect national sovereignty while enhancing collective security.
Countries across the Pacific face remarkably similar maritime security challenges. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and drug smuggling routes across multiple jurisdictions affects every nation with significant maritime domains. In addition climate change is creating new security challenges that no single nation can address independently.
Rather than each nation developing separate, expensive solutions, they could collaborate on payload development and data sharing while maintaining their preferred platform approaches. A sensor system developed for Australia’s northern waters might be equally valuable to Indonesian, Philippine, or Japanese maritime forces, even if deployed on completely different vessels. Software for analyzing maritime traffic patterns could be shared across multiple nations while each maintains control of their own platforms and operations.
This kind of cooperation offers several advantages over traditional defence partnerships. It’s less high risk than sharing major military platforms. It can be implemented gradually, starting with technical cooperation and expanding as trust and capability develop. It respects each nation’s preference for supporting domestic industry capability while enabling beneficial technology sharing. And it can adapt quickly to changing requirements without requiring formal renegotiation.
The data sharing aspects are particularly valuable. Maritime domain awareness is inherently collaborative, a vessel detected by Australian systems may enter Indonesian or Philippine waters, where continued tracking by their systems would benefit all parties. Standardized data formats and communication protocols could enable seamless tracking across national boundaries while preserving each nation’s sovereign control over their own operations.
Distributed Security Effects
Sonter’s vision for Maritime Border Command extends beyond individual missions to what he calls “distributed security effects” or the ability to create relevant security presence across vast areas through intelligent positioning of mixed assets. This addresses Australia’s fundamental challenge: how to maintain effective security coverage across distances that would challenge any navy.
The concept isn’t just about having more assets; it’s about having the right assets in the right places with the right capabilities. An uncrewed surface vessel with advanced sensors can provide persistent surveillance in remote areas where maintaining a crewed presence would be prohibitively expensive. Aerial drones can rapidly investigate contacts across multiple surface platforms. Crewed vessels can respond only when human intervention is actually required, maximizing the effectiveness of limited personnel.
This distributed approach also provides resilience against various forms of disruption. If one platform is damaged or compromised, others can adjust to maintain coverage. If weather prevents aerial operations, surface assets can compensate. If communication links are disrupted, individual platforms can continue operating autonomously while working to reestablish contact.
The implications extend beyond immediate operational effectiveness to strategic deterrence. Potential adversaries must plan for the possibility of being detected anywhere within Australia’s vast maritime domain, even if they can’t identify exactly where surveillance assets are positioned. This uncertainty complicates planning for illegal activities and enhances the deterrent effect of limited patrol assets.
Integration with Existing Forces
One of the most practical aspects of Sonter’s approach is how it integrates with existing crewed platforms rather than replacing them. The Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force has significant investments in patrol boats, aircraft, and other maritime assets that will continue operating for decades. Rather than creating parallel systems, the uncrewed capabilities are designed to enhance and extend existing capabilities.
This integration approach reduces implementation risks and costs while maximizing the value of existing investments. Crew training can build on existing skills rather than requiring complete retraining. Maintenance infrastructure can be adapted rather than replaced. Operational concepts can evolve gradually rather than requiring revolutionary change.
The integration also addresses practical concerns about uncrewed system reliability and limitations. When uncrewed systems are operating alongside manned platforms, human operators can intervene if systems malfunction or encounter situations beyond their programming. This provides confidence for commanders who might be hesitant to rely entirely on autonomous systems for critical missions.
Perhaps most importantly, integration ensures that uncrewed systems enhance rather than threaten existing personnel. Rather than replacing jobs, the technology is creating new roles and expanding career opportunities for maritime professionals who can work with these advanced systems.
Lessons for Military Innovation
The Australian Maritime Border Command’s approach offers several crucial lessons for military innovation worldwide, lessons that extend far beyond uncrewed systems to broader questions of how defence organizations can adapt quickly to changing technologies and threats.
• Direct engagement works: When operational commanders work directly with industry partners, the feedback loop accelerates dramatically, leading to faster innovation and more relevant solutions. This requires breaking down traditional barriers between acquisition and operations, but the results justify the effort.
• Set stretch goals: Ambitious targets drive innovation in ways that incremental improvements cannot. Even seemingly “impossible” goals can inspire breakthrough thinking that produces unexpected solutions.
• Think effects, not platforms: Focus on what you need to accomplish, not on the specific tools you think you need to accomplish it. This enables greater flexibility and often reveals more cost-effective approaches.
• Start small, think big: Begin with manageable experiments that can demonstrate value, then scale the approach rather than the specific solution. This reduces risk while building confidence and capability.
• Measure what matters: Track not just what you accomplish, but what you avoid having to do — the missions not flown, the responses not required, the resources not wasted. This hidden value often exceeds direct benefits.
• Embrace iteration: Treat capability development as an ongoing process rather than a discrete procurement event. This enables continuous improvement and adaptation to dynamically changing requirements.
• Foster collaboration: Break down silos between operators, technologists, and industry partners. The best solutions emerge from sustained collaboration among people who understand different aspects of the challenge.
Global Implications and Future Directions
As this collaboration continues to evolve, it’s clear that we’re witnessing more than just a successful procurement experiment. This approach represents a fundamental shift in how military organizations can work with industry to develop capabilities that are both more effective and more affordable than traditional approaches.
For Australia, the immediate benefits are clear: better coverage of vast maritime areas, more efficient use of limited resources, stronger evidence for legal proceedings, and enhanced deterrence against illegal activities. But the broader implications extend far beyond Australia’s shores.
This model of collaboration could transform how regional partners work together on common security challenges, creating new forms of partnership based on shared capability development rather than traditional arms sales. It offers developing nations a path to enhanced maritime security that doesn’t require massive investments in traditional military platforms. And it provides a framework for addressing transnational challenges like illegal fishing and drug smuggling that require coordinated responses across multiple jurisdictions.
The technological lessons are equally significant. The payload-centric approach could revolutionize defence procurement across multiple domains, not just maritime operations. The direct collaboration model could accelerate innovation in areas ranging from cyber security to space operations. The operations concept could enhance law enforcement and regulatory compliance across numerous fields.
As nations worldwide grapple with expanding security challenges and constrained budgets, the Australian Maritime Border Command’s approach offers a compelling alternative. The future of maritime security may well be written in the waters off Australia, where innovative thinking about technology, collaboration, and operational concepts is creating new possibilities for protecting vast ocean domains with limited resources.
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