PODCAST: Spotlight on UK Integrated Review and US Asia-Pacific strategy

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we discuss UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Integrated Review announcement in the House of Commons on Tuesday 16 March ahead of the MoD Command Paper to be released next week; and we look at attitude of the Biden administration to Indo-Pacific partnerships. 

Newsround [00:48]

Raytheon Missiles & Defense claims to have successfully completed the ‘first-ever demonstration’ for the US Army of a Stinger missile fired from a Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Unit.

US Army artillery planners are working with small businesses to come up with innovative solutions to the challenge of increasing cannon firing rates.

The Indian Navy submarine fleet received a shot in the arm last week, when the third Project 75 diesel-electric boat was commissioned in Mumbai.

In focus:

In news from the air desk, Air Editor Tim Martin looks at the Integrated Review in the context of  additional funding for F-35B fighter aircraft.

Tim also looks at a new contract for the UK to procure Aerovironment Switchblade loitering munitions.

Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas looks at the plan in the Integrated Review to increase the maximum number of nuclear warheads in the UK arsenal. What is the reasoning behind the decision? 

Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira dives into the future of major UK armoured vehicle programmes. 

Does the IR’s focus on other areas such as cyber mean the government could neglect, slow down, or even cut the Ajax, Boxer, and Challenger 2 programmes?

Flavia also reports on last week’s latest House of Commons Defence committee, which expressed concerns over the obsolescence of the British Army armoured fleet. 

Interview- US strategy in the Asia- Pacific [27:44] 

Richard Thomas is on the line with Editor and podcast host Duncan Bartlett to discuss recent visits to Tokyo and Seoul of US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, and the meeting between the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Chinese Foreign Minister. What are the US plans for future partnerships in the Indo-Pacific?

What does China’s 6.8% rise in defence spending mean for the US and neighbouring countries?

Industry Voice-  Wӓrtsilӓ Defence Solutions Ltd [49:49]

Shephard Media's creative director Tony Skinner talks to Chris Rowlands, Managing Director of Wӓrtsilӓ Defence Solutions Ltd (WDSL) about the role of shaft line solutions in ensuring naval readiness.

 To learn more, go to: https://www.wartsila.com/insights/whitepaper/improving-seal-reliability

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