Defence & Security Podcast Network

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

Babcock Australasia chief executive David Ruff says the business is dedicated to investing in the future of the Australian defence industry. "For Babcock ... part of our business model is investing, on a long-term basis, with our customers [and] with governments to grow capabilities, to grow workforces [and] to grow skills," he explains. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Ruff reveals how the engineering support services business is growing its Australian arm "indigenously" and how its investment in local untapped talent, equipment and practices is improving Australian capabilities above and beyond the Defence Force. You'll also hear his thoughts on the ways in which the government is reforming the defence industry at large, collaboration and competition as a means of driving growth, and why he believes future projects on Babcock's horizon will enable the team to lead the way in the defence space. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team.

In this episode of Defence Connect, Director of NSW Defence and former Royal Australian Navy Director General Submarines Peter Scott reveals how NSW will the drive the growth of its defence industry sector through government and industry collaboration. Join Scott and host Phil Tarrant as they discuss the necessity of strong partnerships, the transition from Navy, leadership skills and the NSW Defence and Industry Strategy: Strong, Smart and Connected. "There's about five major themes that run through the strategy. They start with building stronger relationships, and I guess that points to that perception ... focusing on strengths in those critical capabilities. It really is a strength-based approach to the sector." Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team http://www.defenceconnect.com.au

The Royal Navy marked a major milestone in the development of its surface fleet in late July with the commencement of manufacture of its Type 26 Global Combat Ship, which will partially replace the Royal Navy's Type 23 anti-submarine variant frigates as part of a £3.7 billion ($6 billion) contract. The Type 26 Global Combat Ship is one of three solutions being considered by the Australian government as part of the SEA 5000 Future Frigate Program, which will see the replacement of the eight ageing Anzac Class frigates with nine high-capability warships. Defence Connect host Phil Tarrant spoke with Nigel Stewart, business development and strategy director Maritime at BAE Systems, on the eve of the 'steel cutting ceremony' held at their company's Govan Shipyard facility in Glasgow, Scotland. Tune in to get the inside word from Stewart on the development of anti-submarine warfare, how BAE Systems and the Royal Navy have backed the Type 26 to fulfil this ever-increasing role and how these learnings will enhance BAE Systems' pitch. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team www.defenceconnect.com.au

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Dtex co-founder Mohan Koo discusses cyber security as the new face of warfare and gives insight into the culture shift required for the Australian government to "take the bull by its horns" and combat this threat head-on. Tune in as he and host Phil Tarrant explore what's at stake for the Australian public, why the Defence Force is still playing catch up, as well as new initiatives that could identify and fast-track innovative technologies that will aid the industry and allow the country to become the world leader in this space. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team http://www.defenceconnect.com.au

Quickstep chief executive Mark Burgess says he's bullish about the future of exportation and advanced manufacturing in Australia. "We've got to set our sights on the rest of the world rather than Australia," he says. "[W]e can do anything as long as we deploy the right capital, the right skills and have a process appropriate to the market demand." Tune in to this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast as Burgess discusses his new role with Quickstep and the opportunities he sees within the business to not only capitalise on its strengths, but to invest in innovative research and development projects that will add value to the country's manufacturing capabilities. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team http://www.defenceconnect.com.au

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Northrop Grumman's Ian Irving reveals how he'll align the business' abilities with the Australian government's initiative to further develop the country's defence force and sovereign capabilities. "We're focused on doing things that are really the future of national security," he explains. "Cyber security, C4I networking, fifth generation communications, unmanned systems and autonomous systems … these are really things that Australia hasn't had available to it in the past." Tune in as Irving shares his insight into the ways in which Northrop Grumman can make a technical contribution to the Australian Defence Force, as well as what industry insiders can do to "fly the flag" for defence to garner more interest in the industry at large. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team.

TAE Aerospace began on a laptop with just six employees. Now, the business is its own attractor in the defence space, with a reputation for excellence drawing in top talent from across the country and top clients from across the world. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, chief executive Andrew Sanderson charts the business's journey from novice to number one and reveals the growth strategy his team employed to develop and differentiate the business from its competitors in the field. You'll also hear how TAE zeroed in on and perfected its core business to be the top contender for major military contracts, as well as how the SME has since cracked the international supply chain to lead the way for other small businesses in the exportation space. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team. www.defenceconnect.com.au