Navy Information Warfare: Developing an Information Warfare Strategy for the Royal Australian Navy to support contemporary maritime operations

Abstract

Naval strategy starts in peacetime. A naval force cannot wait until the impending outbreak of conflict to determine how it will fight and win at sea. The twenty-first century is now characterised by an information-centric world, where mankind itself gravitates to, and revolves around, information and information technologies. From televisions to the Internet and smart-phones, very little in our existence today does not include some form of dependence on an information technology. Just as mankind has become dependent upon information technologies, so too has the conduct of military operations. There is an ever-growing body of literature that details, discusses and debates the changing character of warfare in the information age. There is, however, a shortfall in the literature regarding how information-age warfare is impacting today’s navies and, more importantly, what they should do about it. If a navy is to remain relevant and effective in the contemporary strategic environment then it must have the capacity to effectively conduct maritime operations in the information age.

The means by which the Royal Australian Navy has chosen to address this challenge is through the development of an Information Warfare capability. The development of this capability, however, has not progressed as originally envisaged following the release of an internal document, titled Information Warfare: Master Plan 2030, in late 2011. There is little doubt an Information Warfare capability will significantly enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to conduct maritime operations in the information age. The challenge for the Royal Australian Navy lies in realising its Information Warfare aspirations. The most effective way to achieve change is to develop a coherent strategy.

This thesis argues that, in order to realise its Information Warfare (IW) aspirations - as outlined in the Information Warfare: Master Plan 2030 - the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) should develop an Information Warfare Strategy to support contemporary maritime operations. Its aim is to inform policy discussion and propose how that strategy might be developed. Thus, the thesis analyses what Information Warfare means and discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with developing an Information Warfare strategy. The thesis concludes by recommending some guiding principles to assist the Royal Australian Navy to develop an Information Warfare strategy.