Australia's significant size and low population density have always posed a challenge for defence forces. Securing northern maritime borders and remote islands against constantly evolving physical security risks continues to prompt Australian Defence Force (ADF) leaders to re-evaluate their strategies to mitigate threats effectively.
However, as technology advances, new kinds of adversaries are emerging, notably threats that could compromise Australia's critical infrastructure and defence facilities. Where these threats could exploit remote borders and bare bases, the ADF must extend visibility and expand situational awareness to help ensure a more effective response in such scenarios.
Extending situational awareness for remote borders and bases means persistent observation, earlier warnings and improved resilience against incursions, sabotage and attacks. Technology that enhances visibility will be fundamental in achieving those goals.
Identifying Australia's evolving physical security threats
Both the Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) have raised intersecting concerns for the nation’s physical security, citing espionage, sabotage and defence system compromise in particular.
In a December 2025 address, ASIO highlighted the increased defence risks of foreign intelligence targeting the country’s maritime, aviation and military capabilities.
The ABF states that illegal arrivals, piracy on vessels, enforcement of prohibitions on imports and exports and maritime terrorism are the most pressing areas of concern for Australia's security. These threats correlate with ASIO's risk categories.
Vulnerabilities at remote borders are increasing the risk of incidents. The minimal staff stationed on bare bases may hinder an effective response to an event.
Australia's current physical security climate needs to adapt to the growing number of threats and their increasing sophistication in the identified areas. Implementing a more proactive detection strategy, enabled by improved visibility, can help address current vulnerability gaps in the country.
Evolution through improved visibility
In December 2025, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles announced the formation of the Defence Delivery Agency (DDA), a consolidation of existing government organisations to help manage the largest peacetime increase to the defence budget in Australia’s history. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy added that the reforms will help tackle “complex defence projects” in anticipation of the 2026 National Defence Strategy due to be published later this year.
Conroy reiterated that “domain awareness” remains a priority in protecting Australia’s geographic areas of interest. Extending situational awareness clearly remains part of the long-term strategy, in which the newly formed DDA will leverage technology projects to help improve detection and response capabilities.
Where drone incursions and maritime terrorism have become a significant concern, border security can also benefit from long-range detection devices that improve visibility in remote areas and facilitate faster responses. The ADF and ABF can be more proactive in identifying threats by using tools that automate detection and process alerts before any potential compromise of borders or critical infrastructure.
Pelco's long-range security cameras can help address remote border and base vulnerabilities. Fitted with long-range zoom, automated target identification and real-time alerts, these powerful cameras offer improved visibility, adaptability and scalability to address ADF and ASIO's current physical security concerns.
Additionally, their long-range sensor suites seamlessly integrate into command-and-control software and specialised tracking applications. This enables the use of advanced AI and analytics to deliver no-touch detection and classification of potential threat actors across maritime and C-UAS environments. The modular sensor platforms enable specialised products tailored to specific missions.
Extending situational awareness
Australian government communications make it clear that improved visibility is a core focus in considering the nation's security. Expanding detection capabilities across Australia's areas of interest and extending situational awareness along the country's remote borders are crucial to mitigating ongoing threats and risks.
Proactive technology solution packages will play an integral role in defence strategies, minimising downtime and operator error. Pairing long-range detection devices with other security components can not only help identify unusual or malicious activity more quickly but also enhance response. Integrating hardware with other security management platforms can streamline communication between remote border areas and bases.
The sensor data and embedded information these devices provide are fundamental to border and station operations across Australia's exclusive economic zone, helping protect critical infrastructure and national prosperity. The ADF and ABF can gain deeper insights into risks and threats, enabling them to scale and adapt as they evolve.
Technology that continuously improves visibility in remote regions can be invaluable to expanding situational awareness. Australia's long-term defence strategy depends on accomplishing that objective over the next few years.
Author biography
Clifton McVay
Product Manager
Clifton McVay is a Product Manager and US military veteran at Motorola Solutions, where he brings 17 years of military and technology design/manufacturing experience.
