In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard news team covers news from the simulation and training, land and sea domains; in an interview with MARSS we look at the capabilities the company is offering to Saudi Arabia, as the country shapes up its Vision 2030 policy; and our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space provides an insight on space-base assets and their contribution to missile warning and missile defence. 

Newsround [01:23] 

HMS Defender was in the news twice this week as it firstly hosted representatives of the UK and Ukrainian MoDs plus Babcock who signed a  comprehensive agreement covering new ships, training, and the regeneration of naval facilities; secondly, on 23 June, the Russian MoD claimed to have fired warning shots during the Type 45 destroyer’s passage close to the coast of Russian-annexed Crimea. The UK MoD disputed this account.

French company Novadem will use next week’s SOFINS special forces show to present the integration of its NX70 micro-drone with Pilar gunshot warning and localisation technology from Metravib Defence.

The US DoD on 21 June announced that three ‘unique weapons capabilities’ will be developed for and installed on F-35A and F-35B aircraft by Lockheed Martin for the UK and Italy.

Honeywell is providing its TALIN Inertial Land Navigation Technology to the Australian Defence Forces to enhance the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System.

In focus:

Defence Journalist Alix Valenti hosts a round table discussion with Military Training Editor Trevor Nash, Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish and News Editor Ben Vogel.

The team looks at the Training & Simulation symposium which took place in Orlando, as well as the Argentinian and Australian land procurement programmes.

Interview- MARSS Group [28:37]

Multimedia Journalist Noemi Distefano speaks to Andy Forbes, MD of MARSS KSA Office, about the work his company is doing with local industry from a defence perspective to support the Saudi Vision 2030 framework.

Industry voice- Raytheon Intelligence and Space [46:23]

Many people do not realise how much of the missile defence mission occurs in space. However, space-based assets are essential for missile warning and missile defence, and the mission is evolving, as Rob Aalseth and Melissa Morrison Ellis from Raytheon Technologies explain to Tony Skinner.

This episode was brought to you in partnership with our sponsor Raytheon intelligence and space.

Produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.