Page 11 - Williams Foundation Air-Sea Integration Seminar

Shaping an Integrated Force in the Extended Battlespace

Captain Walker quoted the most recent Strategic Defence Review with regard to the Queen Elizabeth Class
carriers as follows:

FIGURE 4 SLIDE FROM CAPTAIN WALKER PRESENTATION AT THE SEMINAR.

In short, Rear Admiral Manazir was part of an Australian and Allied re-think about the way ahead.
When asked after the seminar about his reactions to the seminar and his meetings in Australia, he underscored
that he found a significant among of innovative thinking going on generated by the Williams seminar.
“The Williams Foundation is coalescing around a lot of the issues that we’re trying to solve. Most often the
public discussions are mostly about resources. That conversation is important but the discussion, which Williams
set in motion, is about how to develop a different kind of navy.
The conversation has got to be along the lines of what we had today if we are going to get it right. For this, I
thank the Williams Foundation.”
When asked what he thought about the presentations of his Australian peers, Rear Admiral Manazir had this
to say:
“I thought the Fleet Commander was very, very good. He understands his trade and he speaks comfortably
about his trade. And he understands where the Navy needs to go. What I took from Vice Admiral Barrett was
his vision and his passion about that vision. He’s obviously a bold leader.
I see great examples in the Australian Navy of the kind of bold and competent leadership necessary for us
collectively succeed.”
When asked about the UK presentation and perspective, Rear Admiral Manazir underscored that what
impressed him most was the emphasis on the strategic role which Air and Naval modernization was being
accorded by the UK government.
“The new carrier is being viewed as a government strategic asset, not simply a new platform, in and of itself.
The British government is clearly investing in the Queen Elizabeth class of aircraft carriers.

Page 10