The skies are changing and so is the future of national security.

This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Ben Westgarth, CEO and CTO of Department13, for a fascinating and timely conversation about drone technology, counter-drone systems, and what it really takes to protect Australia in an increasingly complex world.

Ben pulls back the curtain on how counter-drone systems actually work, why the ability to develop and adapt rapidly is now a strategic necessity, and what Australia's current defence capabilities look like and where they need to go. From the technology shaping modern warfare to the broader question of national resilience, this is an Exchange that connects cutting-edge innovation with the very real stakes of keeping a nation safe.

To find out more about Ben click here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-westgarth-1992a618/

Website: https://department13.com/

To find out more about Evan click here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/

Website: www.evanlucas.com.au

Chapters

00:00 The Journey into Drone Technology

01:56 Australia's Tech Landscape and Support

04:17 Department 13: Technology Overview

05:47 Future Resilience and Drone Evolution

09:40 Drones in Society: Opportunities and Risks

11:24 Illegal Drone Flights and Public Awareness

13:21 Government Spending and Infrastructure Needs

15:20 Learning from Cybersecurity Regulations

18:24 Subscription Model for Drone Monitoring

22:27 Public Misunderstandings of Drone Technology

25:57 AUKUS and Defense Spending Perspectives

30:55 The Limitations of Drone Jamming

34:26 Vision for Australia's Sovereign Capability

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