In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred in the world of Defence over the past two weeks.

We start with the news that Canada's PM has announced that they've shortlisted BAE Systems' Jindalee Over the horizon Radar Network (JORN) technology. It's not yet a done deal but it's on the short list and they seem very interested in it. It's also interesting that we're hearing about what could be Australia's largest Defence export from the Canadian PM and not our politicians, despite them being very quick to react and appear on radio and TV with talking points. We also note that some US politicians have indicated that JORN is better than their technology, that the UK is expressing interest in JORN, and that there are opportunities for these systems in South America.

The discussion moves on to the news that Hanwha have acquired a 9.9% stake which will, if approved by the FIRB, increase their stake to 19.9%. This will also require approval from the USA given Austal's defence contracts in that country, although it certainly seems that Austal are not happy with this and are doing what they can to keep them out. This leads on to the topic of continuous ship building in Australia and the impacts of changing government policy and projects on local industry, and Australia's image to foreign nations.

Sticking with the maritime world, we look at the high likelihood that the first two Collins boats to undergo LOTE are having large numbers of updates descoped, reducing the likelihood that the fleet will be able to bridge the cap to the Virginia class nuclear subs arriving. Of course, this assumes the Virginias will arrive at all given DOGE cost cutting is now impacting maintenance of Virginia subs, the slow build rate, and indications that giving any subs to Australia will impact US capability. We note that, if AUKUS is to help tie the US to the rest of the Pacific, hopefully it does better than the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement which failed even before the current trend of US isolationism. Perhaps we should be investing in a capability for self-protection closer to home.

We wrap the episode with confirmation that the team will be at Avalon, our current issue (perhaps our biggest ever) will be available at our stand, and that our April issue is being finalised prior to going to the printers. It's busy times to be sure.

Links:

Canada buys JORN

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/canada-buys-jorn

Hanwha makes major investment in Austral

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/hanwha-makes-major-investment-in-austal

First Collins LOTE may be descoped

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/first-collins-lote-may-be-descoped

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Hosted by Grant McHerron

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Editor: Chris Visscher

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