The Grumpy Strategists
Strategic Analysis Australia
The Grumpy Strategists chat about defence and security issues, from an Australian perspective. We say simple things about complicated issues that help cut through the politics and careful bureaucratic talking points. Critical but constructive conversations about the big security and technology issues affecting our world. RSSVERIFY
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 30, 2023 • 31min
The Estimates Edition: a recruitment crisis, fragile fleets & lessons from America
In Grumpy Strategists Episode 5, Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge get into why the complex, top heavy leadership structure of Defence affects performance and demotivates those below it. They discuss the recruitment and retention crisis in the Australian military that's unfolded since 2016 - a force that's meant to have grown has shrunk - and finish with insights about the state of the US Navy from a report to Congress released as Mr Albanese left Washington.
Oct 13, 2023 • 24min
The Israel-Hamas war, deterrence failures & hostage diplomacy Beijing style
In this episode, Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge discuss the implications of Hamas' mass murders, and what Ukraine and Hamas mean for strategies of deterrence against other aggressors. The release of imprisoned journalist Cheng Lei as a precursor to Anthony Albanese shaking Xi Jinping's hand is discussed as an example of calculating hostage diplomacy.
Oct 3, 2023 • 33min
Army shape shifting, helicopter troubles & Mr Albanese goes to Washington & Beijing
In Episode 4 the Grumpy Strategists cover the restructuring of the Australian Army in the aftermath of the Defence Strategic Review, as well as setting out the lessons and challenges for the Defence Force from the permanent grounding of the Army's Taipan helicopters after a fatal crash. They end by discussing the implications for the Australian government's China policy around PM Albanese's trips to Beijing and Washington, and the challenges for Mr Albanese in a distracted Washington.
Sep 15, 2023 • 19min
Sevastopol, $200 million Triton drones and Australian industry
Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge discuss what the Ukrainian military's attack on Sevasotopol says about navies & denial. This, along with lessons from Australia's 25 year journey of discovery in a multi-billion dollar US drone program, can and should drive a reassessment of what Australia's military needs - and what the broader Australian industrial base can provide. Hint: digging stuff up has a dual-use tech side.
Sep 11, 2023 • 22min
Naval Shipbuilding without ships & a Navy review about what?
The second Grumpy Strategists Production looks at ‘continuous shipbuilding’ and the Navy. 6 years on, the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise hasn’t delivered any ships. Meanwhile, the ANZAC frigates and Collins submarines are ageing & will become increasingly fragile. What does the Defence Strategic Review show us about the role of the Navy? While the public debate around US Admiral Hilarides’ review is limited to a furious argument about big or small ships, Hilarides’ job has to get beyond that and provide a practical plan – even if this costs the Government money.
Sep 11, 2023 • 18min
Health check on Australia's Defence Strategic Review
In this first Grumpy Strategist Productions podcast, SAA's Marcus Hellyer and Michael Shoebridge do a health check on the Defence Strategic Review, with some disturbing news for the patient and for Australia’s defence industry. Hear about the budget arm wrestles within Defence holding back investment decisions, along with how the DSR’s baby reviews advance the Treasurer’s fiscal strategy. And learn what’s replaced the saying ‘no one ever got sacked for buying IBM’.
