ABSTRACT
With improving geo-strategic relations, maritime security is at the forefront of current regional security concerns in Northeast Asia. Throughout the region, maritime security concerns are broadening to include piracy, sea pollution from oil spills and industrial waste disposal, protection of sea lines of Communications (SLOCs), illegal fishing and offshore resources development. The Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982, which introduced the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and archipelagic state rights, has also generated regional maritime disputes over islands, continental shelf claims, the EEZ boundaries and other offshore issues. These concerns require a new emphasis on maritime defence, involving naval modernisation, maritime surveillance capabilities and maritime law enforcement operations. The current naval arms build-up includes modern surface combatants, submarines, multi-role aircraft with maritime patrol capabilities, surveillance systems, mine warfare capabilities and electronic warfare systems.
