SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco’s David Astbury

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

The world of maritime operations is built on a bedrock foundation of modern naval sustainment.

The world of maritime operations is built on a bedrock foundation of modern naval sustainment.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by David Astbury, Asia-Pacific general manager for Defence at Serco, to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities shaping maritime maintenance and sustainment.

Kuper and Astbury discuss the growing importance of resilient, sovereign sustainment capabilities as Australia prepares for the delivery of future naval platforms, including AUKUS submarines and an expanded surface fleet.

 
 

The pair explore advancements in autonomous systems and digital technologies that are reshaping traditional sustainment models, requiring new skill sets across electrical, electronic and software domains.

They discuss the impact of life cycle management, with defence organisations placing greater emphasis on designing platforms with sustainment and upgrade pathways in mind. Platforms must be adaptable, with more frequent upgrades and modular architectures.

Cost pressures remain a key challenge but looking ahead, they examine the growing influence of artificial intelligence in maintenance and diagnostics, enabling faster decision making and reducing reliance on traditional support models.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Spotlight team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: CONTESTED GROUND: Weak, vulnerable, backwater – Australia’s choice between strategic camps and managed decline
Episode 10: PODCAST: Undersea dominance – Australia charts the maritime future through autonomous systems and AUKUS innovation
Episode 9: PODCAST: Australian Army Cadets pathways, submarine industry growth and Australia’s fuel security
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: The blind faith factor – why Australians trust an ADF they don’t understand
Episode 7: PODCAST: Defence preparedness, artificial intelligence productivity, and Australian industrial resilience
Episode 6: CONTESTED GROUND: Shots fired! Chinese missile test shatters Australia’s ‘fog of peace’, with Mike Pezzullo
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Counter-drone innovation, directed energy and delivering operational outcomes, with EOS Defence Systems’ Lee Kormany
Episode 4: PODCAST: Strengthening security ties, Fiji defence pact and Australia’s counter-drone push
Episode 3: CONTESTED GROUND: Lessons from the UK in political polarisation, generational dislocation and intergenerational warfare, with Ben Dullroy, Bravo Delta Advisory
Episode 2: PODCAST: Defence Industry Development Strategy, Defence reform and Australians fighting in Ukraine