PODCAST: Australian Defence Industry Awards’ Rising Star of the Year, Gitarth Vaishnav

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol
Photo: Camera Creations

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by the Australian Defence Industry Awards’ Rising Star of the Year, Gitarth Vaishnav, to discuss the inspiring award and his efforts as a software engineer in the sensor fusion team at DroneShield headquarters in Sydney.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by the Australian Defence Industry Awards’ Rising Star of the Year, Gitarth Vaishnav, to discuss the inspiring award and his efforts as a software engineer in the sensor fusion team at DroneShield headquarters in Sydney.

The University of Technology Sydney graduate, who was recognised as the AI Rising Star of the Year at the Australian AI Awards in 2024, has completed a bachelor of computing science (honours) and holds a major in artificial intelligence and data analytics.

The pair discuss a range of topics regarding the defence industry and engineering, including:

  • Vaishnav’s experience winning the Rising Star of the Year award and the acknowledgement of the entire defence industry at ADIA in Canberra.
  • His thoughts regarding the evolution of drone and counter-drone technology internationally and domestically.
  • His keen interest in programming and microcontrollers during high school and a chance meeting with DroneShield leadership while he was studying at UTS in Sydney.
  • Vaishnav’s mentors and the people who have inspired and helped along the way at DroneShield.

The pair wrap up the podcast discussing personal challenges and plans for the future.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Defence policy, domestic manufacturing and military culture, with Senator Malcolm Roberts
Episode 10: SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13’s Ben Westgarth
Episode 9: PODCAST: Australia’s first 3D printed autonomous USV, with Josh Wigley and Harry Hubbert
Episode 8: PODCAST: Australia’s shipbuilding future, landing craft pipeline and autonomous vessels, with Austal CEO Paddy Gregg
Episode 7: CONTESTED GROUND: Assessing the fallout and implications of the latest Trump–Xi meeting for Iran, Taiwan and Australia
Episode 6: PODCAST: Missile manufacturing, Collins LOTE upgrades and submarine base east
Episode 5: PODCAST: Aerobatics, military aviation and Australian air shows, with Paul Bennet
Episode 4: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 3: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 2: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell