SPOTLIGHT: Next-gen mine countermeasure capability, with Gavin Henry and Peter Newnham from Thales, and Neil Hodges from BlueZone Group

Joint-capabilities
|
By: Robyn Tongol
SPOTLIGHT: Next-gen mine countermeasure capability, with Gavin Henry and Peter Newnham from Thales, and Neil Hodges from BlueZone Group

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Gavin Henry, business development manager at Thales; Peter Newnham, director of engineering at Thales; and Neil Hodges, co-founder of BlueZone Group, discuss their proposal for the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 1905 Tranche 1 – Maritime Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Survey program.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Gavin Henry, business development manager at Thales; Peter Newnham, director of engineering at Thales; and Neil Hodges, co-founder of BlueZone Group, discuss their proposal for the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 1905 Tranche 1 – Maritime Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Survey program.

  

You’re out of free articles for this month


Topics discussed by the trio include:

  • The progress of Thales’ bid for SEA 1905 Tranche 1.
  • Thales’ sovereign MCM offering and the emergence of autonomous capability.
  • BlueZone Group’s contribution to the SEA 1905 proposal.
  • The importance of interoperability with international partners, leveraging common supply chains.
  • BlueZone Group’s growth ambitions. 

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team

Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Defence Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Defence Connect as a preferred news source.

SHARE THIS STORY
Tags:

Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: SPOTLIGHT: Australia’s loitering munitions, sovereign manufacturing and the future of drone warfare, with Innovaero’s Gregory Tunny
Episode 10: PODCAST: Contested logistics and Australia’s defence industry priorities at Land Forces 2026, with Amentum Australia’s Kim Katheklakis
Episode 9: PODCAST: Containerised solutions and human-in-the-loop systems at Land Forces 2026, with IAI’s Maxim Zemer
Episode 8: SPOTLIGHT: Lockheed Martin Australia’s priorities, leadership and life after service, with Jeremy King
Episode 7: THE PROGRESS REPORT: Leadership, mentorship and life at sea – Commander Melanie Lennard on 17 years in the Royal Australian Navy
Episode 6: PODCAST: Australia’s munitions manufacturing push at Land Forces 2026, with NIOA Group’s Robert Nioa
Episode 5: PODCAST: EOS showcases new interceptor and layered drone defence at Land Forces 2026, with Lee Kormany
Episode 4: CONTESTED GROUND: The information advantage – how AI is reshaping influence, competition and power
Episode 3: PODCAST: Next-generation equipment at Land Forces 2026, with Aquaterro’s Graeme Bulte
Episode 2: SPOTLIGHT: Defence electronics supply chains, counterfeit components and shortages