Australian Naval attaché outlines strategic risks in Pacific

China’s increasing strategic ambitions mean unprecedented challenges for the United States, Australia and their allies.

Royal Australian Navy Commodore Darren Grogan offered that assessment on Tuesday when he spoke by video to the National Press Club’s American Legion Post 20. Grogan serves as his country’s naval attaché in Washington, D.C.

He noted that a major Australian policy document says the Pacific region is in the midst of the most consequential strategic realignment since World War II. Australia’s 2020 Defence Strategic Update also says competition between the United States and China is the main driver for dynamics in the region.

The document points out a number of destabilizing factors. They include faster-than-expected military modernization in the Pacific, cyber challenges and disinformation campaigns.

“The risk of conflict is therefore growing,” Grogan told members of Legion Post 20.

The current strategic environment means partnership between the United States and Australia is more important than ever, Grogan said. “Probably for the first time, we need each other equally,” he added.

Australia is in the midst of a major capital investment in its military, and that includes a plan to acquire nuclear submarines. Canberra’s announcement that it wanted nuclear subs disappointed France, which had expected to sell conventional diesel-powered vessels to Australia.

On another military topic, Grogan condemned what he called Russia’s “illegal and immoral aggression” against Ukraine. “There is no doubt that Russia has committed war crimes,” he said.

Grogan offered insights into the challenging issues that can come up in the life as a military attaché.

“The French weren’t very happy,” he said of the nuclear sub plans. But he added that his relationship with the many Washington-based naval officers from France and other countries remains professional and cordial despite whatever happens at the political level.