In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast we look at the new range of frigates that European navies are looking at to replace their current fleets, and we talk to Boeing about developments on the F/A-18 programmes.

News Round (00:35)

The Royal Australian Air Force is seeking a replacement for its fleet of Hawk 127 trainer jets. 

The US Senate Armed Services Committee has approved its mark-up of the Pentagon’s Fiscal Year defence policy bill, authorising $740 billion for national defence spending.

The Danish Armed Forces are planning to acquire a new UAS capability. 

More developments on Operation Irini: the EU maritime mission in the Mediterranean to enforce the UN arms and oil embargo on Libya. 

News Focus 

News Editor Ben Vogel discusses the European Defence Agency’s CROWN initiative following the announcement of new leadership for the Spanish company Indra. 

The new programme aims to develop scalable and single architecture for airborne radar, EW and communication applications. 

Air Editor Tim Martin catches up on the latest development on the Future Vertical Lift programme as Sikorsky records a new test for the FLRAA candidate - the SB>1 Defiant.

The Defiant has hit a new milestone recording a speed of 205kt using less than 50% of the helicopter's pusher propeller.

As the French MoD releases its Annual Report on Arms Exports, Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira takes a look at the figures of both European and international exports. What are the possible side-effects of COVID-19 on this year’s trades?

Deep Dive – European frigate programmes (14:27)

Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas is in a conversation with Defence Insight Naval Analyst Harriet Haywood to talk about future investments for new warships in the UK and Europe. 

Following years of falling naval budgets, a steady increase has emerged in response to emering threats. Harriet looks at how the market shape will change in the next five years. 

Interview – Boeing on the F/A-18 (25:44)

Air Editor Tim Martin speaks to Jen Tebo, director of F/A-18 development programmes at Boeing, to discuss changes in the programme with a focus on recent efforts on the Super Hornet Block-2 and 3 front.