Best bits: China's military might, Eastern European defence procurement and debating the future of NATO

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, as we say goodbye to 2019, we take the chance to look back at some of our best coverage of the past few months, including coverage from MSPO in Poland, China's military parade and NATO Engages in London.

• Show coverage - MSPO

Editor in chief Richard Thomas and deputy air editor Tim Martin report from MSPO in Poland.

Among the news to emerge from the show was the confirmation that the Pentagon's decision to remove Turkey from the F-35 programme has since left production made aircraft readied for Ankara without an owner.

Meanwhile, among the new products on display was a technology demonstrator of an mobile air defence combat system (ASBOP–PERKUN) the Lukasiewicz – PIAP Institute has developed in partnership with the Telesystem-Mesko company.

• Deep Dive – People’s Liberation Army (PLA) armaments

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.

Asia Pacific editor Gordon Arthur was there and outlines what he learned from the parade, which saw some 40% of the equipment shown to the public for the first time.

Chinese missiles dominate world’s largest military parade

• Interview – Justin Bronk of RUSI

Deputy Editor, Air Tim Martin talks to Justin Bronk, Research Fellow specialising in combat airpower and technology in the Military Science team at RUSI, at the NATO Engages event in London.

• Industry Voice - Nammo

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