CONTENT

My guests today are Neale Smiles and Ian Garnett. Regular listener will know Neale from previous podcasts where we have discussed defence and technology issues. 

Ian, is a former New Zealand Army officer who transitioned from a career in the army to become a successful defence technology entrepreneur. He discusses his extensive military background, including specialised training in digital fire control systems and his experience with large-scale live-firing exercises.

After leaving the forces, he developed a sophisticated, software-based system that modernises the sensor-to-shooter link, allowing for rapid, silent and fully digital communication between observers and weapon platforms. The discussion highlights the challenges small firms face in the defence industry, the importance of interoperability within NATO, and how software-driven innovation is currently reshaping modern warfare. Growing success has seen his technology integrated into several international militaries, proving that agile start-ups can outperform established defence giants.

Ian's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Rommel, Gunner Who?" by Spike Milligan.

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