Defence & Security Podcast Network

Having doubled their employees since 2016 and further growth expected in the coming years, partly as a result of the pending arrival of the F-35 in Australia, Lockheed Martin is continuing to add to Australia's thriving defence sector while still holding strong to their Australian identity. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, chief executive of Lockheed Australia Vince Di Pietro and business development director for Lockheed Martin RMS Neale Prescott join host Phil Tarrant to further discuss the company's contribution to the Australian economy and to unpack the changes that have aided its growth. They will discuss the work they are completing, which is set to integrate Lockheed's technological systems across all defence platforms while also analysing the current combat systems used across everything from submarines to within the Future Frigate program and the upcoming F-35s, and the jobs that the integration of these systems are creating for Australian workers, both in the major hubs and regional centres. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

With developments in place that will see Australia build and develop its own space agency, the Defence Connect Podcast again analyses how this will impact the defence sector and the opportunities that it presents to us as a country. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, manager and CTO of PlusComms and head of ThunderStruck Aerospace Robert Brand joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss both Australia's history in the space sector and unpack what we can expect to see in the future, including the work that he is currently involved in, which will aid telecommunications within Australia and offer multiple applications within defence industry. Brand will discuss his extensive career, which has seen him involved in the industry since the age of 17 across everything from the launch of Apollo 11 to the STS-1, share how a project that he was working on with his nine-year-old son now sees him aiding developments of technology to be used on Mars, and share his concerns with the way in which Elon Musk's SpaceX is currently approaching the industry. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Following the announcement in the May budget that Australia would be forming its own space agency, there has been heavy debate as to which state would be best suited for its location. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Dr Jason Held of Saber Astronautics joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss the recent opportunities that have presented themselves, while also looking at the current state of the Australian space landscape, which is per capita the fastest growing new space market in the world, and what the future is likely to hold for space industry within Australia. He will share why he thinks that limiting manufacturing hubs to specific states could be detrimental to the growth of the sector, unpack what a space agency is in its simplest form and discuss how being a start-up space agency gives Australia incredible freedom in how it develops. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Social media and the digital age has given a voice to many who may have previously gone unheard and while some organisations are making an active effort to try to minimise the impact that this can have on their public image, it is those that are embracing this changing landscape that are noticing the full potential it offers for their brand awareness. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, The Decisive Point's Brendan Maxwell joins host Phil Tarrant to explore the exciting opportunity that defence industry now has to communicate with the Australian public, build trust, tell stories and create transparency. He will discuss the role of concise communication in attracting the best talent into defence industry, the importance of unity in purpose and share why real people telling real stories is a winning formula for defence communications. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

US Border Patrol's top priority is to keep terrorists and their weapons from entering the US while welcoming all legitimate travellers and commerce. A role aided by the implementation of geospatial imagery, mobile technology and consistent systems. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Assistant Chief of the US Border Patrol Patrick Stewart joins host Phil Tarrant following his address at the Australian Security Summit to discuss how the US is utilising technology to implement its security directives at the nation's borders. Having joined Border Patrol the day following the September 11 attacks, Stewart will share how that event has changed the way in which they operate, share his thoughts on if technology will advance to a point where human interaction is no longer necessary, and discuss how Australia compares to the rest of the world in terms of border protection.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Legacy has a strong history of providing services to Australian families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent during or after their time within the Defence Force. This service is currently being utilised by 65,000 widow(er)s and 1,800 children and disabled dependants throughout Australia. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, CEO of Legacy NSW Associated Clubs John Hutcheson AM joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss how the charity is playing a role in so many lives and what they stand for as an organisation. He will unpack why volunteers are so important to Legacy's success as an organisation and how they compete for charity dollars in a saturated market. Hutcheson will also discuss how his skills gained during his time in Army are utilised in his current position, and his role as a mentor aiming to better facilitate the shift from uniform to civilian life. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

John Lonergan last joined the Defence Connect team at the 2017 Avalon Airshow, where we got our first look at the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, CEO and managing director of Milskil John Lonergan joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss the arrival of two F-35s in Australia later this year, and to unpack the company's recent contract with Lockheed Martin, which will see Milskil delivering training services across the JSF. Lonergan will cover technological developments within the space and the new facilities of the JSF, discuss Milskil's working relationship with Lockheed Martin and share future business development plans in line with the opportunities that the company believes are likely to present themselves. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

The battle of Hamel is remembered for introducing tactics that dramatically turned the tide against the Germans and changed the way that war is fought. A story noted for its speed, tactics, bravery, and the fact that for the first time in history American troops fought under Australian command. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, author Stephen Dando – Collins joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss this battle 100 years on, and to discuss his take on the events that took place and how he approached them when writing his book "Heroes of Hamel". Dando – Collins will discuss his family link to the war, why he chooses to do his own research and the experiences that he has had as a result. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

The Battle of Le Hamel on 4 July 1918 was an Allied triumph, and strategically very important in the closing stages of WWI. A largely Australian force, commanded by Sir John Monash, fought what has been described as the first modern battle - where infantry, tanks, artillery and planes operated together as a coordinated force with every detail planned meticulously. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast author Peter Fitzsimons joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss this moment in military history, looking not only at the events that took place but the thought processes behind every aspect which lead to the development of these events. Peter will also discuss his writing process and how the fine detail and extensive research is key to telling the stories of these monumental moments in history, share how his literature is a means of helping the characters who lost their lives live and breathe once more, and take on claims that his writing is a glorification of war. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

The SEA 5000 Future Frigate announcement has been hotly anticipated in recent months with those bidding for the contract joining the Defence Connect Podcast to discuss their submissions. The announcement has today been made with BAE securing the $35b contract. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Andy Keough managing director for SAAB Australia joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss their involvement in the SEA5000 Future Frigate program, which will see them continuing their already strong partnership with Lockheed Martin to integrate a common core operating system and interface across all navy fleets. Keough also discusses SAAB's subs in schools program and how it is attracting an ongoing stream of young talent into the industry, unpacks Australia's position and reputation within the SAAB organisation, and discusses the company's future plans within the defence industry. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team