Inside Defence: November 30

Joint-capabilities
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By: Reporter
Inside Defence: November 30

In this edition of the weekly Inside Defence, hosts Phil Tarrant and Steve Kuper discuss the latest developments and issues shaping the Defence, defence industry and national security ecosystem this week.

In this edition of the weekly Inside Defence, hosts Phil Tarrant and Steve Kuper discuss the latest developments and issues shaping the Defence, defence industry and national security ecosystem this week.

 
 

Inside Defence is your source for all the very latest in Australian Defence, defence industry and national security policy news.

Tune in every week to hear hosts Phil Tarrant and Steve Kuper bring you the biggest stories over the past few days, covering everything you need to know about the issues, programs and developments shaping Australia's national security, defence and strategic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region.

In this episode, Phil and Steve discuss the success of the 2020 Australian Defence Industry Awards held as a hybrid, in-person event at COVID-safe venues in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney and digitally around the nation, providing an opportunity for defence industry to come together and celebrate the success of businesses and individuals during the year. 

They also discuss the ongoing debate between Defence Minister, Linda Reynolds CSC and her West Australian state counterparts Defence Issues Minister, Paul Papalia CSC and WA Premier, Mark McGowan over the Commonwealth's plans for full-cycle docking of the Royal Australian Navy's Collins class submarines. 

Building on this, they discuss comments made by Victorian Senator, David Van following the Victorian State Budget and his calls for greater support to attract defence industry to Victoria as part of its post-COVID recovery. 

Phil and Steve also discuss the appointment of Scott Stapp as Northrop Grumman's new corporate vice president and chief technology officer (CTO) at a time when the company is in the middle of major programs both in Australia and the United States. 

Finally, the pair discuss the successful cooperative deployment of the Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Ballarat as part of the US Navy's Nimitz Carrier Strike Group following the completion of joint training exercises with the Indian and Japanese Navy as part of Exercise Malabar. 

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: THE PROGRESS REPORT: Leadership, mentorship and life at sea – Commander Melanie Lennard on 17 years in the Royal Australian Navy
Episode 10: PODCAST: Australia’s munitions manufacturing push at Land Forces 2026, with NIOA Group’s Robert Nioa
Episode 9: PODCAST: EOS showcases new interceptor and layered drone defence at Land Forces 2026, with Lee Kormany
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: The information advantage – how AI is reshaping influence, competition and power
Episode 7: PODCAST: Next-generation equipment at Land Forces 2026, with Aquaterro’s Graeme Bulte
Episode 6: SPOTLIGHT: Defence electronics supply chains, counterfeit components and shortages
Episode 5: PODCAST: AUKUS, China and Australia’s defence industrial future, with former prime minister Scott Morrison
Episode 4: CONTESTED GROUND: When AI goes rogue – the emerging threat Australia isn’t ready for
Episode 3: PODCAST: Frontier AI, cyber warfare, and defending Australia’s military networks, with Wendi Whitmore and Tom Scully
Episode 2: PODCAST: Australia’s 2026 Intergenerational Report and national security implications, with Phillip Tarrant and Robert Dougherty