In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we discuss British Army hybrid drive vehicles; a senior Defence Insight analyst sheds light on the state of Eastern Europe’s armoured vehicle market; and our Asia-Pacific editor highlights the most significant recent stories from the region from the past month.

Newsround [01:00]

Saab is planning to offer its new Lightweight Air-launched Decoy Missile as part of its Gripen E/F proposal for Finland’s HX Fighter Programme.

In Russia, there weren’t too many eye-catching land systems on display last week at the Army 2020 show in Moscow, but one notable new addition was the BMP-3M Manul IFV. Enhancements in the latest BMP-3 upgrade include a more ergonomic troop compartment plus increased protection and firepower.

And finally, after a bumpy decade or so of development, the US Army is claiming progress on the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System after successful live-fire tests in late August. This indicates that problems affecting an earlier assessment have been resolved.

News in focus

A £3 million (USD4 million) contract was awarded recently by the MoD to a group of companies to demonstrate hybrid electric-drive systems on Foxhound and Jackal vehicles.

Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira describes how this new technology will improve the capabilities of the British Army while also hitting UK government greenhouse gas reduction targets.

News Editor Ben Vogel dives into Turkish anti-ship cruise missile developments, following the test-firing last month of the Atmaca Block I system. Atmaca incorporates indigenous concepts and doctrines of the Turkish Navy, which have been developed over decades of experience, testing, and planning.

Asia-Pacific round-up [13:50]
Asia Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur is on the line from New Zealand to round up and discuss highlights from India, Indonesia, and South Korea.

India has banned 101 categories of imports as it continues to promote self-sufficiency and the Indian Army is once more turning its attention to light tanks. In Indonesia, meanwhile, efforts continue to modernise the eclectic mix of ships in the country's navy; and South Korean released a major five-year spending blueprint.

Deep Dive: Eastern European armoured vehicles [31:50]
Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas is in conversation with Defence Insight Senior Analyst Land Sonny Butterworth, to talk about key armour programmes in Central and Eastern Europe. Which platforms are most in demand, and why?

This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred