European special forces, Chinese military kit and what is the 360 Invictus?

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we head to Brussels to learn about the development of European special forces capabilities, take a look at the Chinese military equipment on display at the PLA's recent parade and find out about Bell’s future attack helicopter contender.

• News Roundup (00:34)

On the news this week…

The team outline how on 1 October China put on its largest-ever parade through Tiananmen Square in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the modern-day People’s Republic of China. Dominating the spectacle were missiles, unmanned systems and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.

On the aviation front, manufacturer Bell has unveiled its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft Competitive Prototype contender – the 360 Invictus – distinguished by a lift-sharing fixed-wing, tandem cockpit, single-engine and integrated with new rotor technology for high-speed flight. Deputy air editor Tim Martin outlines more.

On the land front, land editor Beth Maundrill paid a visit to Israel Weapons Industries (IWI), which alongside detailing elements of its future business roadmap, said that configuring its own weapon systems to a new 6.8mm, or even 6.5mm, calibre would be an ‘easy change’ to make.

Sea editor Richard Thomas explains how the UK's HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group has formed for the first time on the Westlant 19 deployment. Meanwhile, Newport News Shipbuilding has completed the dry dock portion of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington’s (CVN 73) refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH).

• Deep Dive – Belgium’s Special Operations (17:30)

We speak with Colonel Tom Bilo commander of Belgium’s Special Operations Regiment, which was established in July 2018, about the country’s heritage in parachute and commando units and how the regiment is now enhancing its SOF capabilities.

• Interview – General Claudio Graziano, the permanent Chairman of the EUMC (33:37)

The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is composed of the chiefs of defence of the EU member states and provides the Political and Security Committee with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the EU. General Claudio Graziano, the permanent Chairman of the CEUMC, outlines the role the committee plays within EU defence matters.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (44:52)

Nammo SVP of Communications Endre Lunde outlines the challenges the defence industry faces planning for 2020 and beyond given the current global instablility.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest