In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we discuss the Chinese military assets gathering on the border with Hong Kong, we speak to French company Texelis about its involvement in the French Army’s Scorpion programme, and the Royal Canadian Air Force provides an update on the satellite communication programmes it oversees for the country’s armed forces.

• News Roundup (00:48)

On the news this week…

With the launch of our China Rising: Special Report, Shephard Media’s director of analysis Matthew Smith considers the development of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and where the investment is going.

Deputy air domain editor Tim Martin explains the situation where the US Army has been forced to downplay concerns that a manufacturer involved in the service’s Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (FTUAS) programme could force other aircraft to be ineligible for any final contract selection.

Land editor Beth Maundrill explains that the US Marine Corps (USMC) has declared that its Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) has reached initial operational capability (IOC) just under a year ahead of schedule. 

It can now deploy and support naval expeditionary missions worldwide, following the declaration of IOC by the Marine Corps Combat Development Command on 2 August, an achievement that was expected to be met in June 2020.

• Deep Dive –Texelis and French land programmes (13:32)

Land editor Beth Maundrill sits down with the President of Texelis, Charles-Antoine de Barbuat, to discuss the evolution of the company and the French Army land programmes it supports.

• Interview – Royal Canadian Air Force (24:20)

Although the space domain may be a relatively new responsibility for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RFAC), the service has developed a five-year roadmap laying out the space framework for the armed forces.

Colonel Cameron Stoltz, Director of Space Requirements for the Royal Canadian Air Force, explains that in expanding its commitment to the space domain, Canada’s defence policy commits to ‘increased and predictable’ funding to deliver new capabilities, such as earth observation, space situational awareness, and satellite communications. 

Ottawa is particularly focused on enhanced coverage of the country's northern-most regions, which are largely devoid of such capabilities.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (40:20)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the evolution of the defence trade press and how the sector needs to change further in order to survive.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest