PODCAST: ADF promotions, Middle East aftershocks and dreaded Defence budget cuts

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

Can Australia balance the cost of expanding its drone-based attack and defence capabilities on a shoestring budget? Industry is rightly worried about possible cost cuts.

Can Australia balance the cost of expanding its drone-based attack and defence capabilities on a shoestring budget? Industry is rightly worried about possible cost cuts.

In an editorial discussion for this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro take a run at a burgeoning week of news across Australia’s defence landscape and how international conflict in the Middle East is rippling outwards to pressure fuel supplies Down Under.

The team also examines the recent promotion of Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN to become the next chief of the Defence Force and the appointment of Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM CSC DSM as the next chief of the Australian Army, the first woman to hold the position.

 
 

The conversation then explores the newly signed Major Defense Cooperation Partnership agreement and joint special forces training between hardline governments in the US and Indonesia.

Turning to defence industry, the panel puts a speculative spotlight on dreaded Defence budget cuts and reallocations under the release of the new National Defence Strategy.

Finally, the team tackles new ship manufacturing updates in Sydney around the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter Class frigate program.

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