Air power, multidomain operations, auditing the EDA and watching the Watchkeeper

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we provide coverage of the recent Air and Space Power Conference and the defence trends and challenges that were discussed. We speak to the chief executive of the European Defence Agency about its achievements over the past 15 years. 

And our sponsor Nammo provides this week’s Industry Voice segment. 

• News Round Up (01:02)

This week in the news…

With tensions heating up in the Persian Gulf, Helen Haxell and Richard Thomas discuss the implications of the UK’s change of prime minister – which was quickly followed by the ousting of defence secretary Penny Mordaunt – on the nation’s naval posture.

Tim Martin outlines how widely publicised crashes and delays that have long derailed the UK’s unmanned Watchkeeper programme look to be behind the UK. The MoD is moving out with flight testing of Equipment Standard 2 (ES2) and looks forward to receipt of all 54 air vehicles later this year.

Kate Martyr tests the team’s armoured vehicle recognition skills by presenting images of the US Army’s NGCV concept.

• Show coverage – the Air and Space Power Conference (12:30)

Air domain specialists Helen Haxell and Tim Martin discuss all the developments from the Air and Space Power Conference held recently in London.

With the theme of ‘Multi-Domain Operations for the Next Generation Air Force’, the conference covered emerging technologies and opportunities for innovation in the air, space, cyber and artificial intelligence spheres.

The Shephard team presents audio coverage from the-then UK Secretary of State for Defence, Penny Mordaunt MP; General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force; Major General Tonje Skinnarland, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force; and Air Vice-Marshal Simon Rochelle, RAF Chief of Staff Capability.

• Interview – Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (33:38)

Land reporter Kate Martyr speaks to Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, about the EDA’s role and achievements on the 15th anniversary of its establishment.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (51:20)

In this week’s Industry Voice Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, discuss the role of the European Defence Agency in furthering European defence.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest