New cyber developments, the UAE's US arms deal and Israeli frigate update

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast,  we talk to the Australian Strategic Policy institute to discuss what side-effects the US election results could have on defence and security policies in the Pacific region, and in an interview with BAE Systems we discuss ongoing cyber developments set to support land forces in the future battlespace.

Newsround: (00:38) 

In Australia, the KF41 Lynx will soon be competing head-on against the Hanwha Defense Redback for a significant IFV contract.

The Land 400 Phase 3 project is designed to give the Australian Army a modern replacement for its M113 armoured personnel carriers, with the new vehicles achieving full operational capability in 2030-31.

In the US, the State Department on 10 November notified Congress that it intends to authorise FMS deals for the United Arab Emirates, confirming previous indications that the Middle Eastern country wants to buy F-35A Lightning II aircraft and MQ-9B Reaper UASs.

In France, Suffren is the first of six new ​Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarines to be handed over to the French Navy in Toulon last Friday to begin the final phase of tests.

French defence procurement agency DGA noted that the second of six Barracuda-class boats will be delivered in 2022 and the final submarine is scheduled to be commissioned in 2030.

As the Israeli flag begins flying from the foremast of INS Magen, the lead ship of four Sa’ar 6 class corvettes being built for the country’s navy, new details have emerged about the programme’s timeline. 

News in Focus 

The US government is moving towards an agreement for new arms sales with the UAE, including deals for the MQ-9B Reaper and F-35 fifth generation fighter jet. Air Editor Tim Martin looks at why the US is looking to do this in the current political scenario and reports on what this deal will mean for UAE capabilities.

Tim also provides an insight into the strategies that the UK is looking at to counter Russian and Chinese cyber threats that have become more advanced.

Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira looks at a US DoD transformation programme set to enhance the use of AI across the department and  ethical issues related to the use of the technology.

Interview – (24:05)

Asia Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur is on the line with Malcom Davis, Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, to get an insight on the potential implications of the US election result for defence and security policies in both Australia and the wider Pacific region.

 Interview- (38:25)
Shephard contributor Gerrard Cowan chats to David Woolrich, cyber operations lead in BAE Systems Fast Labs, about the company’s growing focus on cyber and how the domain can support land forces in the future battlespace.

This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.