Defence & Security Podcast Network

COVID-19 has reshaped the world and RIMPAC '20 wasn't immune, but it did in some ways enhance the way the participants conducted the operations.

On this Defence Connect podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Captain Phillipa Hay, RAN, to discuss the ongoing transformation of the Royal Australian Navy and the role interoperability plays in enhancing collective security in the Indo-Pacific.

CAPT Hay and Tarrant discuss the latest round of RIMPAC exercises, of which CAPT Hay was the first Australian woman appointed to command a task force in the 49-year history of Exercise Rim of the Pacific.

The two discuss the growing levels of interoperability and capability aggregation developing between Australia and its Indo-Pacific partners and the role they play in supporting the government's initiative of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific.

CAPT Hay and Tarrant also discuss the complexities of managing and conducting the world's largest maritime warfare exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic and the agility with which all partners improvised, adapted and overcame the challenges.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Northrop Grumman's MQ-4C Triton is billed as a step change for the ADF and its long-range, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities serving as a major force multiplier in Australia's future force. On this Defence Connect podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Chris Deeble, chief executive of Northrop Grumman Australia, to discuss the transformational capability to be delivered by the MQ-4C Triton high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) platform. Deeble and Tarrant discuss the key role and capability the MQ-4C Triton will deliver to the ADF as it undergoes a generational transformation and force structure review identified in the government's $270 billion 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan. Finally, they will also talk about the role Triton will play in supporting Australia's growing sovereign defence industry capability through the partnerships developed between Northrop Grumman and Australian SMEs, despite challenges in the US. Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

On this Defence Connect podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Jack Kormas, managing director of Textron Systems Australia, as they discuss the evolving realm of uncrewed and autonomous systems, specifically LAND 129 Phase 3.

Kormas and Tarrant discuss Textron Systems Australia's status as a "home grown business" stemming back to 1995 as Aerosonde and the storied history the company has of not only supporting sovereign industrial capabilities for the ADF, but also as a global leader in innovation.

The pair deep-dive into company's history of leading-edge UAS capabilities, which originally attracted Textron's acquisition of Aerosonde and the opportunity it has presented to the Australian supply chain.

Finally, Kormas and Tarrant cover the variants of the Aerosonde UAS platform, which is designed to support "small footprint" expeditionary land and sea-based operations capable of multi-role operations, key capabilities pursued by the ADF. Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Since their inception, Australian industry content (AIC) and sovereign industrial capability have served as key priorities for government with varying degrees of success depending on who you ask. For Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price, collaborative consultation and action are needed.

On this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and Steve Kuper are joined by the Minister Price to talk about her evolving priorities and the actions she has taken to better support delivering AIC requirements since being appointed to the role in May 2019.

Minister Price also discusses the outcome of the government's extensive review into the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC), the recommendations, government's response and the role collaboration plays in responding to the concerns of Australia's burgeoning defence industrial base.

They also cover the response of defence industry to the COVID-19 pandemic and how businesses have evolved to support the national response. Finally, Minister Price also discusses her proudest moments working closely with defence industry and the role frequent communication plays in building collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships between government, primes and SMEs.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Indigenous Australians have a proud history of serving with the ADF, from World War I to the specialist recon units of NORFORCE. Now as government shifts its focus to developing a sovereign defence industry capability, Indigenous Australians are emerging as a fundamental input to capability. On this Defence Connect podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Defence Indigenous Cultural Adviser Norman Laing, as they discuss his career in Defence, what attracted him to serving in the Australian Defence Force and the history of Indigenous Australians serving in the ADF. Laing also talks about the role of the Defence Indigenous Cultural Adviser and how Defence is working with Indigenous communities around the country to support individuals and their communities. Finally, they discuss the growing role of defence businesses in supporting Australia's defence capability, with a number of Indigenous businesses growing to serve an increasingly important role in the government's sovereign industry capability plans. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Australia has a global reputation as a leader in research and development across a number of fields, and the Commonwealth science agency CSIRO plays a key role in that reputation.

On this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by CSIRO chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley to talk about the evolving role of the CSIRO in the post-COVID world and how its research and development initiatives are supporting Australian industry respond to the crisis.

Dr Foley also discusses the growing innovation in advanced manufacturing capabilities spearheaded by the CSIRO and research ranging from artificial intelligence, machine learning, and mineral and resource exploration, through to the R&D of a vaccine for COVID-19 currently underway at the organisation.

They also cover the role of CSIRO in working in collaborative relationships with various organisations across state and territory jurisdictions, Australia's world-renowned academic researchers and industry to leverage the full intellectual and manufacturing capability of the nation.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Prime organisations like Leidos Australia play a crucial role in supporting the growth of Australia's defence industry capability and are pivotal to the ongoing success of the government's $270 billion investment in defence capability and sovereign industry. On this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Keith Johnson, senior vice president, global capabilities, Leidos Australia, to discuss the evolving and growing role of the company in Australia.

Johnson discusses the pivotal role the Leidos Australia team plays in supporting the transfer of knowledge and know-how from the parent company to enhance Leidos' commitment to supporting the development of a sovereign Australian industry capability, supported by "organic Australian industry capability". They also discuss the flexibility and advantages Leidos enjoys through being "platform agnostic", meaning they can work collaboratively with a range of OEM's to provide the Australian warfighter with the best capability for the mission set. Johnson and Tarrant also discuss the growing size of the Australian business, the evolving capability offering the company is seeking to provide Australia, with eyes firmly set on growing the company locally. Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

This episode of Defence Connect Insight features former minister for defence, current chairman of Pyne and Partners, and author of The Insider: The scoops, the scandals and the serious business within the Canberra bubble, Christopher Pyne.

Pyne joins hosts Phil Tarrant and Steve Kuper to discuss the catalyst for writing his book, whether he ever lost a sense of purpose while serving in government defence roles, and what he misses most about working in politics.

He reflects on how the nation's geo-strategic situation has evolved over the last few years, what he's most proud of from his career in the defence portfolio, and how he's found the transition from working in government to business.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

The Army in Motion philosophy necessitates a force that is continuously adapting to an everchanging environment, taking guidance from its core strengths and principles, yet always remaining open to developing new ways of employing capabilities.

In this episode of Defence Connect Insight Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, to discuss how he's gearing the Australian Army to respond to current geo-strategic challenges, while concurrently preparing it to navigate the nation's emerging future.

LTGEN Burr explains how his team is working to support the COVID-19 response, what opportunities have arisen in terms of improving resilience in Australia's supply chain, and how industry can best support the delivery of Army's existing and future capabilities.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Insight Podcast, shadow minister for defence industry and WA resources Matt Keogh discusses the opposition's response to the government's $270 billion defence investment over the next decade. Keogh joins hosts Phil Tarrant and Steve Kuper to discuss feedback from Australia's defence industry as they pivot to respond to the challenges of COVID-19 and the local push to develop a truly sovereign defence industry capability. Building on this, Keogh will expand on the growing need for government to support the development of strategic resource assets, learning the lessons from allies. Finally, he discusses the growing promise of Western Australia, not only as a defence industry hub, but as a "Five Eyes defence services hub" for the Indo-Pacific and the industry, economic and employment benefits supporting allied forces can provide. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team