Defence & Security Podcast Network

At the start of July, the federal government announced a $270 billion commitment to defence spending for the coming decade, and a new holistic strategy for dealing with an increasingly uncertain world in the Indo-Pacific.

In this exclusive interview, the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC, gives host Phil Tarrant the inside story on how his team is rethinking what a modern air force should look like - and how it can better collaborate with other elements of the ADF and government to drive change.

AIRMSHL Hupfeld lifts the lid on working with artificial intelligence on the Loyal Wingman platform, "robust" conversations with his counterparts in the Navy and Army on an integrated military, the drive towards a fifth-gen fighting force and how the lesson from COVID-19 must be to shore up global supply chains.

He also talks candidly about his love of flying, his journey into the top job in the RAAF, and how he can't wait to get out in his Airtourer and P-51 Mustang in the near future.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

In this episode of Defence Connect Insight Podcast, the US embassy's Marine Attaché, Mark Weinrich, delves into rapidly evolving relationship between the US Marines and the Australian Defence Force.

Weinrich joins host Steve Kuper to also discuss his career from piloting an EA-6B Prowler, to working with the UK Royal Marines Commandos and his transition to supporting the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D).

Tune in to this episode to hear about the current training projects being undertaken by MRF-D, how the Corps are adapting to advances in technology and responding to adversaries capabilities, and how the Commandant's Planning Guidance provides young marines with the opportunity to instigate change.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is the nation's second largest ASX-listed defence and aerospace entity, with clear ambitions to reach the number one spot.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by the technology company's CEO of defence, Grant Sanderson, to discuss EOS' recent $100 million contract with the Australian Army, the process for generating innovation within the organisation, and EOS' view towards the future of the defence industry.

Sanderson reflects on how the business has met its service and support obligations throughout the pandemic, whether Australia has the sovereign manufacturing capability to meet its domestic and international export needs, and the biggest challenges being faced by EOS at the moment.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Prior to becoming the member for Wentworth, Dave Sharma spent four years as ambassador of Australia to Israel, navigating the politics and geo-strategic realities of a region as complex and diverse as our own.

In this episode of Defence Connect Insight, Sharma joins hosts Phil Tarrant and Steve Kuper to share his learnings from his time as an ambassador, the similarities between Australia and Israel's geopolitical circumstances, and his insights into the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sharma explains why it's important for Australians to become more involved in conversations around national security, what skills incoming diplomats will need moving forward, and why Israel has such a strong tech innovation sector.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Founded almost 26 years ago, Aquaterro is today one of Australia's largest providers of operational, tactical and safety equipment to government, military and commercial end users.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by the company's founder and CEO, Graeme Bulte, to share the journey of Aquaterro from its humble beginnings in commercial fishing to a trusted supplier for the country's defence force, federal law enforcement, and border protection agencies.

Bulte reflects on the need for greater resilience in Australia's own supply chain, reveals how he balances current contracts with investing into the future of the business, and provides some tips for other SMEs starting out in defence.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

After serving as an army captain in Afghanistan, Jason Scanes was under the impression that his interpreter would be granted a special protection visa to join him in Australia.

Five years later, frustrated with the lack of transparency around the status of the application, Scanes founded Forsaken Fighters to support other veterans and mission essential personnel in similar positions.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Scanes joins host Phil Tarrant to talk about why his not-for-profit organisation is so critical for those who have served, the psychological implications around this issue of moral injury, and how the application process could be improved.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

COVID-19 has shone a light on just how critical sovereign industry and manufacturing is to Australia's national security.

On this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Robert Nioa, managing director of NIOA, Australia's largest privately-owned supplier of small arms and ammunition to the sports shooter, law enforcement and military markets.

Nioa shares the lessons learned through the evolution of the business since its establishment in 1973 and how those lessons can inform a resurgent Australian manufacturing capacity in the post-COVID world.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Veteran-owned consulting business Horsell has been providing personalised services in the defence space for the last 13 years.

On this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Horsell's director and principal consultant, Drew Horsell, and professionalisation manager at KBR, Jon Westerland, to talk about how the two companies collaborate to deliver value to the nation's defence sector.

Horsell explains why he decided to leave the military and establish his own business, how he ensures he is recruiting the right people, and why effective communication is so critical for defence industry SMEs.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

On this episode of Defence Connect Insight, hosts Phil Tarrant and Steve Kuper are joined by the Hon. David Fawcett, senator for South Australia and chair of the parliamentary joint standing committee on foreign affairs, defence and trade.

Fawcett delves into the inquiry he is currently leading into the strategic implications of COVID-19, how Australia is currently faring in terms of national sovereignty, and his committee's sentiment towards the nation's potential to develop its local supply chain.

He explains how COVID-19 has accelerated conversations around national resilience, the strategic implications of the pandemic in relation to human rights, and the tangible action expected to come out of this inquiry.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

The Defence Science and Technology Group is responsible for delivering expert, impartial advice and innovative solutions to support Australia's defence and national security capabilities.

The department's chief defence scientist, Professor Tanya Monro, joins host Phil Tarrant to delve into the critical nature of the relationship between industry, universities and the scientific community.

Professor Monro provides insight into her role as both a manager and a thought leader, what her team learnt from the success of the Rapid Response Group, and how SMEs can further support Defence outcomes.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team