The Grumpy Strategists Common defence Myth Takes, North Korean real estate, & UK defence review echoes Oz
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Jun 13, 2025 The hosts kick off with a hilariously unconventional fix for a naval issue in Korea. They debunk six common myths surrounding defense spending, advocating for real military capabilities over mere financial numbers. The conversation highlights Australia’s inadequate response to drone warfare and its potential role in global conflicts. A comedic critique follows on the UK's rebranded Defense Strategic Review, pointing out the disarray in submarine ambitions and the challenges of aligning military strategies with local business support.
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North Korea Destroyer Salvage Tale
- Michael Shoebridge and Marcus Hellyer humorously recount salvaging a North Korean destroyer with Dennis Rodman's balloon idea.
- They secured a piece of North Korean coastal real estate linked to Trump-Kim summits, dubbing the ship "Grumpy Stradius."
Budget Caps Limit Capability
- Australia's fixed 2% GDP defence budget limits acquiring all needed capabilities.
- Setting a spending ceiling before fully defining capabilities ensures capability shortfalls.
Flawed Assumptions in Defence Planning
- Planning defence with a fixed budget and expecting adversaries to attack exactly as anticipated is unrealistic.
- Adversaries rarely follow the 'script' in warfare; rigid budget planning risks unpreparedness.