QinetiQ Australia has set ambitious growth targets as it seeks to capitalise on increased government defence spending and the gamut of projects now underway across land, air and sea. The strengthening of its board has been a key priority, in line with a focused strategy to deliver value to defence customers. Join Defence Connect as we speak with key board members, including Rear Admiral (Ret'd) Raydon Gates, Air Vice Marshal (Ret'd) Margaret Staib and Air Vice Marshal (Ret'd) Mark Skidmore, and uncover opportunities for the business in the period ahead. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team www.defenceconnect.com.au

Lockheed Martin marked a major milestone yesterday, with the formal announcement that the Aegis Combat System has been chosen to equip the new Australian Navy frigates to be built under the SEA 5000 program. Join Dale Bennett, Lockheed Martin executive vice president, rotary and mission systems, and Vince Di Pietro, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, as they discuss the company's outlook for growth in Australia, observations on naval strategy and the evolving strategic landscape, plus the very important role people will play in supporting defence and defence industry in the period ahead. Enjoy the podcast, www.defenceconnect.com.au

Leonardo's involvement in Australian defence dates back to the late 1800s, when one of its heritage businesses provided torpedoes to individual Australian states. It's connectivity with the industry still remains – and it's still providing torpedoes. Join executive chairman of Leonardo Australia Michael Lenton and Defence Connect host Phillip Tarrant as they explore some of the history of Leonardo and the role the business is playing in today's evolving defence industry. As well as a number of Australian-first innovations, such as networked data links for ship-to-ship communications, the business is actively delivering the SEA 1442 program to much effect. Enjoy the podcast, www.defenceconnect.com.au

In the latest episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Dr Jason Held, CEO of Saber Astronautics joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss the defence industry, space and how it has developed throughout the years. Jason talks about the future prospects of a domestic space agency in Australia as "Space is the ultimate high ground." With a PdD in aerospace and mechatronics, the former Space Commander reveals how "goal was to solve all the things that annoyed" him, how he formed his company he describes as "as a commercial R&D laboratory", how he leverages technological advances and how he created a beer you can drink in space! Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team. www.defenceconnect.com.au

In this special episode of the Defence Connect podcast, His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos-Horta takes us through Timor-Leste's endeavour towards independence, harmony and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and his deep respect for the Australian Defence Force going all the way back to World War II. The Nobel Laureate and UN special representative tells us tales of the ADF in Timor-Leste and why the Timorese want Australia to play a larger role in the region. The Defence Connect Team, www.defenceconnect.com.au

This week on the Defence Connect Podcast, Leidos managing director Christine takes us through her passion for defence and the participation of women in the industry, how she came into the role of managing director of one of Australia's largest primes and what worries her most about the future for the business. Join as we discuss the fundamentals of people and culture in defence business, staying connected within the technology world and Leidos' fundamental role in providing a backbone for Australia's intelligence services. www.defenceconnect.com.au Facebook - http://bit.ly/2xx3zpK Twitter - http://bit.ly/2yrqQHL LinkedIn -http://bit.ly/2xg5zDb

This week on the Defence Connect podcast, former Royal Australian Navy weapons engineer and ATSA Defence Services co-founders Darren Burrowes goes through the ins and outs of co-founding a successful defence SME and the brand's expansion into BlueZone Group. As co-founder of the only start-up company resulting from the $1bn Minehunter Coastal Project, which saw six "Huon" Class Minehunter ships constructed for the Royal Australian Navy in Newcastle, Burrowes talks us through the company's beginnings from "two guys and a mobile phone" to its current successes as an innovative leader in through-life support, robotics and electro-mechanical systems. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team.

While the Australian government has worked closely with small businesses to up-skill workers, it still has a long way to go in recognising and investing in vocations that will truly realise the potential of the nation's manufacturing industry. "My concern is, where is all of this skill and capability going to come from?" asks Direct Edge chief executive, Diane Edgerton. "Do we have to import it because we haven't up-skilled and we don't have the time to be able to get these capabilities in place before we're ready for it?" In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Edgerton discusses the future of manufacturing in Australia, what it needs to flourish, and how she's working toward getting her own business the recognition it deserves on the national stage. You'll also hear about her experience working in a man's world and how relying on her instincts and life experience helped grow Direct Edge from a simple jobbing shop to an advanced manufacturing business that works across multiple industries in multiple capacities. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team. www.defenceconnect.com.au

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, former journalist and bestselling author Frank Walker sheds light on the hidden side of war and reveals the treachery of governments who once went to horrifying lengths to betray their soldiers. "Who are our real enemies?" Walker poses in his new book, Traitors. "We've got to remember what we're fighting for [and] why we have a defence industry." Tune in as he explains how "justice" during the World Wars was purely selective, why a fear of communism twisted the hearts and minds of world leaders, and why he believes today's looming military threats aren't too dissimilar from the bloody wars of times past. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team. www.defenceconnect.com.au