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Articles by Samuel Bashfield
Fibre sensing: how undersea cables learned to listen
Fibre-optic internet cables onboard the "Sophie Germain" cable boat of "Orange Marine" in La Seyne-sur-Marne harbour, France (Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images) Cable owners want light-touch rules on sensing – but in the Indo-Pacific, barely any rules exist to touch. Subscribe to The Informer for monthly expert analysis, and to Events for advance notice of visiting world leaders and distinguished guests.
Rewiring the Indian Ocean: Why the world’s data is taking new paths
By Samuel Bashfield, Grace Corcoran, Dr. V. Sridhar, And Prof. Balaji Parthasarathy For more than a century, the submarine cables carrying the world’s communications largely followed the same paths as ships. The first transoceanic telegraph lines hugged colonial trade routes and their fibre-optic successors did much the same. Sea lines of communication were mirrored, almost faithfully, by seabed ones. That era is ending.
Rewiring the Indian Ocean: The Dynamic Geography of Submarine Cable Networks
ABSTRACT The Indian Ocean is undergoing a substantial rewiring as submarine cable networks begin to be laid in the far corners of this vast seascape – deviating from traditional sea(bed) lines of communication. This ocean is a vital waypoint for digital connectivity, connecting not just littoral states, but also linking Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.
Marles says the seabed is a “battlefield”. But should militaries lead the fight?
I just spent the weekend at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. I have been researching submarine cable security for years, and often felt like I was making the case to people with more pressing things to worry about. This year was different. Cable security ran through plenary sessions, bilateral meetings and corridor conversations with an urgency that I hadn’t encountered before.
Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories matter again in the digital age
I recently found myself fossicking through the sand for bits of old submarine telegraph cable. Direction Island, part of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands chain, sits in a lonely expanse of the Indian Ocean, an outpost of Australian territory that guards waters to Asia. A museum specialist had told me that pieces of cable were there, scattered among the tide pools – fragments of telegraph lines that once carried dots and dashes of Morse code and connected the British empire.
The British Indian Ocean Territory
Description While Britain’s empire decolonised after the Second World War, one more colony was created, in secret and against international law: the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This founding, in 1965, dismembered sixty Indian Ocean islands within the then British colonies of Mauritius and Seychelles. The entire population of these islands was forcibly displaced to make way for Anglo-American military facilities.
Seabed Critical Infrastructure Protection: Resilience vs. Connectivity
Europe and the Indo-Pacific may be connected by global data flows, but their submarine cable policies reflect vastly different priorities. In Europe, concerns over hostile state interference—particularly from Russia—have put resilience, redundancy, and rapid response at the center of policy frameworks.
Seabed warfare in a new era of geotech conflicts
Image Source: Getty This article is part of the series—Raisina Edit 2025 As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, a battlefield beneath the waves intensifies. Seabed warfare has become a critical domain of modern geotech conflict. With society’s increasing reliance on undersea infrastructure such as communication cables, energy pipelines, and other vital seabed infrastructure, nations are now vying for control of the ocean floor.
Digital Sovereignty: Securing India’s Submarine Cables
As India’s submarine cable infrastructure continues to expand, addressing the challenges of repair capacity, landing station diversification, and domestic cable connectivity is critical for promoting digital resilience. India is making strides to protect its digital links with the wider world. The nation’s reliance on submarine cables for internet connectivity and communication presents significant vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
Mauritius One Step Closer to Diego Garcia Sovereignty
After almost 59 years of controversial existence, the last vestige of the British Empire in the Indian Ocean, the British Indian Ocean Territory, is set to be wound up. On Oct. 3, Britain and Mauritius released a joint statement detailing a historic agreement via which sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia, will be transferred to Mauritius. The sun is setting on the British Indian Ocean Territory and borders in the Indian Ocean are set to shift.
Samuel Bashfield
Samuel Bashfield Samuel Bashfield is a PhD candidate and research officer at the Australian National University’s National Security College. Baird Maritime / Work Boat World www.bairdmaritime.com
OPINION | The implications of India’s newest ballistic missile submarine
A K series ballistic missile is fired from a submerged Indian Navy submarine during tests in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Visakhapatnam, January 27, 2013. India’s second Arihant-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighaat, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29. The new submarine brings India one step closer to a nuclear second-strike capability while also entrenching nuclear competition in the Indo-Pacific.
The implications of India’s newest ballistic missile submarine
India’s second Arihant-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighaat, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 29 August. The new submarine brings India one step closer to a nuclear while also entrenching nuclear competition in the Indo-Pacific. SSBNs are a potent and highly specialised military asset. Operated by only the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France and India, these boats are armed with submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles.
Cable ties: Defending seabed lines of communication
Australia is yet to adequately grapple with the unique challenges that critical seabed infrastructure protection poses to its defence and national security. In Europe, recent critical seabed infrastructure incidents have rattled leaders. Nord Stream and Balticconnector have entered the public lexicon as examples of vulnerability.
Chinese yard launches new deep-sea aquaculture platform
Chinese shipbuilder COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry has launched a new deep-sea aquaculture platorm that will be fitted with intelligent systems. Gesheng No 1 was designed by Zhuhai Gesheng Technology in compliance with China Classification Society rules to be capable of withstanding strong winds and currents. Upon completion, the platform will have a length of 86 metres, a beam of 32 metres, a height of 16.5 metres, a draught of 10.5 metres, and a capacity of 30,000 cubic metres.
Design firm unveils methanol bunkering ship concept
UK-based design and engineering consultancy Houlder has unveiled concept design images of a new methanol bunkering vessel with a cargo capacity of 10,000 cubic metres. The vessel is being developed by Houlder as part of the SPINE Project, which project aims to establish an interface between ships, remote control centres, port operating systems, and national energy infrastructure to address challenges in maritime decarbonisation and autonomy.
VESSEL REFIT | FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias – Processing platform to be deployed in Brazil's Mero oil field - Baird Maritime
Chinese shipyard CIMC Raffles has completed conversion work on a floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO) for Malaysian shipowner MISC. The vessel, which has been renamed FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias, will operate in Brazil’s offshore waters under charter with state-owned oil company Petrobras. CIMC Raffles said this is the first FPSO conversion project in China that is completed under a one-yard solution.
VESSEL REVIEW | Kapitan Egorov – Russian crab boat designed for Far East waters - Baird Maritime
The Russian Crab Group of Companies recently took delivery of a new crab fishing vessel built locally by Onega Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Plant. Kapitan Egorov was designed for operation in unrestricted navigation areas, allowing it to haul up to 120 tonnes of live crab over long distances.
OPINION | Halfway, right: Australia’s approach to the Indian Ocean
The waters of the Indian Ocean lap on the shores of Western Australia all the way across to Africa. But how far Australia’s defence and foreign policy interests extend into this vast watery expanse is a live debate. The “Indo-Pacific”, at least as Australia conceives this area, drives a cartographic division, chopping the Indian Ocean into east and west.
COLUMN | The demise of Diamond Offshore: Lessons for the future [Offshore Accounts]
Last week, saw Noble Corporation cement its place as the great consolidator in the offshore drilling industry recovery. Seven days ago Noble announced that it was buying Diamond Offshore Drilling in a stock plus cash transaction valuing the company at around US$1.6 billion, a deal unanimously approved by the boards of both companies.
Intercargo casualty report highlights positive improvement in safety of dry bulk shipping
Annual casualty figures from international dry cargo shipping association Intercargo highlight continuing improvement in the safety performance of the sector. The Association’s Bulk Carrier Casualty Report, which can be viewed via the Intercargo website, records the yearly loss of vessels of over 10,000 DWT and lives across the dry bulk sector, with the intention of monitoring the impact of safety measures in the sector across the globe.
Red Sea Ports Authority awards operating concession for three Egyptian cruise ports
UAE port operator the AD Ports Group and the Red Sea Ports Authority (RSPA) of Egypt have entered into a definitive concession agreement for the development, operation, and management of three cruise terminals at Safaga, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh ports. The AD Ports Group’s total investment of US$4.7 million over the next 15 years will cover management and operations of the three cruise terminals, which are scheduled to become operational in 2025.
Halfway, right: Australia’s approach to the Indian Ocean
The waters of the Indian Ocean lap on the shores of Western Australia all the way across to Africa. But how far Australia’s defence and foreign policy interests extend into this vast watery expanse is a live debate. The “Indo-Pacific”, at least as Australia conceives this area, drives a cartographic division, chopping the Indian Ocean in two east and west.
A big leap in the credibility of India’s nuclear weapons capability
India’s successful test of its Agni-V land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRV) last week represents a significant milestone in the nation’s nuclear ambitions. While a veritable alphabet soup, MIRVed missiles are unique in that one missile carries multiple nuclear warheads in its nose cone, meaning one missile can strike multiple targets, and better evade local defences.
VESSEL REVIEW | Mere du Christ II – French owners’ new scallop trawler to operate in English Channel - Baird Maritime
French boatbuilder Plasti-Peche recently delivered a new trawler to father and son fishers Thierry and Martin Ramet based in the port city of Boulogne-sur-Mer on the northern coast of France. Mere du Christ II (“Mother of Christ II”) was designed by local naval architect Coprexma primarily for the bottom trawling of scallops, taking over the role once performed by the owners’ earlier boat, the 1992-built Mere du Christ.
VESSEL REVIEW | Cape Hatteras & Cape Canaveral – Great Lakes Dredge and Dock acquires pipe-lay and anchor handling workboats - Baird Maritime
Houston-based marine projects specialist Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company (GLDD) has expanded its fleet of vessels following the delivery of two new workboats built by Conrad Shipyard of Morgan City, Louisiana.
OPINION | Taking robots and AI to war at sea
The December AUKUS Defence Ministers meeting in San Francisco has reinforced the importance of advanced undersea warfare capabilities as a key element of the agreement’s Pillar 2. A particular focus was the role of autonomous systems at sea—on and under the waves—together with AI in responding to future undersea threats.
Maritime Security Vessel News Roundup | January 25 – Brazil’s newest submarine, Turkish and Taiwanese frigates and more - Baird Maritime
The Turkish Navy commissions its newest surface combatant while the Brazilian Navy welcomes a locally-built submarine into service. A fast transport with a range of onboard medical facilities is handed over to the US Navy. Finally, a Taiwanese yard starts construction of a light frigate for anti-submarine missions. Turkish Navy commissions lead ship of new frigate class The Turkish Navy recently commissioned a new frigate into service.
VESSEL REVIEW | Patagon XI – Large Chilean wellboat with 3,000-cubic-metre transport capacity - Baird Maritime
Chilean fish transport company Patagonia Wellboat recently added a new live transport vessel to its fleet. Constructed by Chilean shipyard Asenav, Patagon XI is one of the largest wellboats to be built and operated in Latin America, with an LOA of 79.8 metres, a beam of 17.2 metres, a draught of 6.5 metres, a gross tonnage of 3,950, a summer deadweight of 4,320, and two holds with a total capacity of 3,000 cubic metres to permit the transport of up to 400 tonnes of live salmon.
Why Australia should work with India on a maritime strategic fleet
In November, the Strategic Fleet Taskforce released a report which found that Australia needs a stronger strategic fleet and maritime workforce and noted that only 15 vessels over 2000 deadweight tonnes are Australian flagged.
The window (shade) seat
My first and most memorable experience onboard a long-haul airliner was seeing Uluru from my window seat on a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 twenty years ago as a child. However, this transcendent experience is not available to today’s children, as airline staff relentlessly insist our window shades are lowered throughout long-haul flights.
Seabed warfare, Australia, India & the Indian Ocean
This article is part of the essay series, “India-Australia Partnership: The Defence Dimension” Seabed warfare is now proliferating in Europe and has the potential to reach the Indian Ocean.
Seabed warfare, Australia, India & the Indian Ocean
This article is part of the essay series, “India-Australia Partnership: The Defence Dimension” Seabed warfare is now proliferating in Europe and has the potential to reach the Indian Ocean.
Indian Ocean Seabed Defence: Lessons from Europe
Set up in 1990, ORF seeks to lead and aid policy thinking towards building a strong and prosperous India in a fair and equitable world. It helps discover and inform India’s choices, and carries Indian voices and ideas to forums shaping global debates. ORF provides non-partisan, independent analyses and inputs on matters of security, strategy, economy, development, energy, resources and global governance to diverse decision-makers (governments, business communities, academia, civil society).
Indian Ocean Seabed Defence: Lessons from Europe
Set up in 1990, ORF seeks to lead and aid policy thinking towards building a strong and prosperous India in a fair and equitable world. It helps discover and inform India’s choices, and carries Indian voices and ideas to forums shaping global debates. ORF provides non-partisan, independent analyses and inputs on matters of security, strategy, economy, development, energy, resources and global governance to diverse decision-makers (governments, business communities, academia, civil society).
Indian aircraft visit Cocos Islands as Australia strengthens its maritime security network
Indian aircraft visit Cocos Islands as Australia strengthens its maritime security network Despite Australia’s hopes, the Indian military will not be participating in the Australian Defence Force’s multinational Exercise Talisman Sabre later this month. But that shouldn’t be taken as a reflection of the Australia–India defence relationship. This week several aircraft from India’s navy and air force made a groundbreaking visit to Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Australia’s Defence Strategic Review signals radical changes in Australia’s defence posture
The review of Australia’s DSR calls for fundamental changes, not only for itself but also for its partners throughout the Indo-Pacific Australia’s Defence Strategic Review 2023 (DSR2023), which was publicly released on 24 April, signals the biggest changes in Australia’s defence posture in at least 50 years.
Decolonizing Diego Garcia: A Boon for India?
India has invested significant sums and resources in constructing and negotiating its military footprint in the Indian Ocean. Delhi has expanded its presence in the Andaman Islands and developed Mauritius’ Agaléga into a base. However, despite its tacit support spanning decades, one key island has remained off limits to Indian military planners: Diego Garcia.
Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
In 2021, satellite images surfaced depicting the development of a military facility on North Agaléga island, part of the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius. It emerged that Indian workers were laying the groundwork for an Indian naval military facility. CSIS in May 2022 released images of hangers on Agaléga, big enough to house India’s new P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Now, in 2022, this Indian Ocean outpost is nearing completion.
Biting the ‘cherry of detachment’: Agalega’s Cold War decolonisation
Co-authors Samuel Bashfield and Alexander Lee establish why Agalega was excluded from BIOT and thus not militarised during the Cold War. This paper, published in The International History Review methodically considers British and American Indian Ocean region strategic thinking in the early decades of the Cold War and is based on declassified British and American records from defence, foreign affairs, intelligence, cabinet, colonial affairs and executive departments, agencies and offices.
Battle for Chagos
Book Review: The Last Colony: A Tale of Exile, Justice and Britain’s Colonial Legacy by Philippe Sands (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2022) Popular understanding would have many believe that Britain’s vast empire was decolonised in the post-Second World War era. Former colonies across Africa, South Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean and beyond opted to chart their own course during the Cold War – many joining the Non-Aligned Movement.
Susannah Patton's Bio | People | Lowy Institute
Susannah Patton is Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute and the Project Lead for the Asia Power Index, the Institute’s annual data-driven assessment that maps the changing distribution of power in the region. Her research on Southeast Asia is focused on strategic alignment dynamics and the roles of external powers including the United States, China and Australia.
The British Indian Ocean Territory and the rules-based order
Various contributors to The Interpreter’s Chagos Question debate assert that Britain’s controversial claim to the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory – BIOT) violates the rules-based order. And by extension, Australian and American support for London’s colonial-era sovereignty pretension further undermines this already fragile Indo-Pacific order. Contributors to this debate, including David Brewster, Benjamin Herscovitch, Blake Herzinger, Bec Strating and Peter Harris are correct.
National Security Podcast: Critical submarine cables
In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Research Officer and PhD candidate at the ANU National Security College Samuel Bashfield and Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic and Policy Institute Dr Anthony Bergin join Dr William Stoltz to discuss the importance and vulnerabilities of submarine cables — critical infrastructure that is the backbone of modern communication.
A judicial vacuum
In October 2021, a group of 89 Tamil asylum seekers hoping to claim asylum in Canada was intercepted while traversing the Indian Ocean and brought to a joint UK-US military facility on Diego Garcia, the only inhabited island in the Chagos Archipelago, otherwise known as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Nine months on — and after 30 other arrivals this April — these people are still stuck on the remote Indian Ocean atoll, and dozens have begun a hunger strike.
A Judicial Vacuum Now Consuming Tamil Refugees
Thursday, 10:46 GMT Forgot Username or Password (MENAFN- NewsIn.Asia) By Samuel Bashfield Research officer at the Australian National University's National Security College Canberra, June 1 (Al Jazeera): In October 2021, a group of 89 Tamil asylum seekers hoping to claim asylum in Canada was intercepted while traversing the Indian Ocean and brought to a joint UK-US military facility on Diego Garcia, the only inhabited island in the Chagos Archipelago, otherwise known as the British Indian...
The BIOT: A judicial vacuum now consuming Tamil refugees Original
In October 2021, a group of 89 Tamil asylum seekers hoping to claim asylum in Canada was intercepted while traversing the Indian Ocean and brought to a joint UK-US military facility on Diego Garcia, the only inhabited island in the Chagos Archipelago, otherwise known as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Nine months on – and after 30 other arrivals this April – these people are still stuck on the remote Indian Ocean atoll, and dozens have begun a hunger strike.
Mauritius sets sail to Chagos
On Tuesday, Mauritius made good on a long-standing threat to Britain and sent a boatload of officials to visit the Chagos Archipelago without permission. This action has placed Britain, which administers the disputed island territory, in a very difficult position.
Power plays: the growing competition to fuel energy transitions
Global demand for battery-producing lithium is expected to significantly rise over the next decade for use in the storage of renewable energy – so much that the US Geological Survey last year reported “lithium supply security has become a top priority for technology companies in the United States and Asia”.
Zooming out of digital diplomacy
We’re firmly entrenched in an era of hybrid diplomacy, floating between in-person and videoconference diplomacy. In speaking to those in the game, three facts have come to light: there’s no turning back; videoconferences are inadequate; and the only way out, is forward. Foreign ministries have already invested in platforms to ensure secure interaction with partners, and brought in consultants to maintain, train, and upskill staff to perform on these platforms.
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