Defence Connect Podcast Network

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper speaks with Professor John Blaxland about Australia’s growing need for a national security strategy. The pair also discuss: Blaxland’s history as an Army intelligence and signals officer, his transfer to the Australian National University, and his career as an academic working in Washington. The recently commissioned RSL report authored by Blaxland outlining the geopolitical, strategic, and environmental challenges that necessitate an Australian National Security Strategy. The individual components of an Australian National Security Strategy and setting us up for success in the face of great power competition. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Steve Kuper and Rob Dougherty discuss the events and topics that were making headlines across industry. Reporting live from the 2024 Australian Cyber Security Summit in Canberra, the pair also discuss:  The Ukrainian ambassador’s indication of interest in Australia’s retiring Tiger attack helicopters.  Setting the record straight on debate around Australia donating the retired F/A-18 Hornets to Ukraine.  The ongoing strengthening of the relationships between the world’s autocratic powers: Russia, China, and North Korea.  Mounting concerns that the United States may not directly intervene in the event of Chinese hostilities towards Taiwan. The US’ “hellscape” strategy for supporting expanded foreign military sales to Taiwan.   Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by former deputy secretary strategy in the Department of Defence and secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, Michael Pezzullo, to discuss the “long arc” of Australia’s defence policy. The pair begin their discussion focusing on the early days of Australia’s “sovereign” defence policy, beginning in the aftermath of the Second World War, and our double-edged sword fear of “entrapment” and “abandonment”. They also discuss: The evolution of Australia’s defence policy and posture during the Cold War, culminating in the 1986 Dibb Report and 1987 Defence White Paper which continues to influence the nation’s posture and policy to this day. The 2009 Defence White Paper whose development was led by Pezzullo and the Force 2030 concept which marks the first time China’s regional ambitions are highlighted and accounted for in Australian planning. The current predicament Australia finds itself facing in light of mounting great power tension and competition in the Indo-Pacific and our need to rapidly prepare. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Liam Garman, Steve Kuper, and Robert Dougherty address confusion surrounding the government’s recent recruitment announcement and examine why governments in the West remain complacent despite the continued rise of authoritarian powers. Dougherty unpacks the federal government’s recent announcement to open ADF recruitment to permanent residents from New Zealand, the UK, the US, and Canada and what this will mean for Defence. The trio then examine the West’s continued complacency regarding national security and America’s waning geopolitical hegemony, discussing whether we are looking at the end of the “end of history”. The podcast wraps up analysing the recent Collins Class life-of-type extension and the extent of Australia’s deterrence gap. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Tim Napper, federal principal at HDR, joins host Liam Garman to unpack how the Australian Defence Force can unlock the best from its soldiers, sailors, and aviators through estate design. The pair begin by discussing how the Commonwealth needs to review how it thinks about infrastructure – and how human-centric estate design can improve the wellbeing, morale, and performance of its teams. Napper then touches on examples from the health and education sectors where data-driven design is used to improve recovery and learning. They wrap up the podcast examining how Defence can make design and build more efficient, which will ensure that more businesses stay in Defence industry. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Liam Garman, David Hollingworth, and Daniel Croft unpack a crazy week in cyber security – with millions of Australians caught up in attacks through to splits within the hacking community.  The trio unpack the recent Ticketmaster breach – with millions of users impacted nationwide – and the surprising name behind the attack. They then discuss BreachForums coming back online – and a recent split that has happened in the hacking community in response to the forum’s re-emergence.  Garman, Hollingworth, and Croft wrap up the podcast by looking at new reporting guidelines for businesses and some crazy tweets surrounding the government’s Digital ID laws. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, editor of Space Connect Adam Thorn, Steve Kuper, and Liam Garman unpack AusSpace24 – Australia’s biggest space sector event. The podcast begins by unpacking how Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir, Commander, US Space Force Indo-Pacific, and Major General Gregory Novak, Defence Space Commander, delivered insights into the future direction of Australian-US allied space interests. The trio then unpack critical insights from the event – including how new technologies are shaping space as well as mitigating the risks of space debris. They wrap up discussing how the industry responded to substantial government funding cuts. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Chris Fisher, regional director of ANZ at Vectra AI, joins host Liam Garman to unpack how generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are creating new exploits for malicious actors and how cyber professionals can best prepare for these emerging threats. Fisher and Garman begin the podcast by examining how threat actors exploit generative AI tools, which are used to drive business efficiency, to expedite access to sensitive data. Fisher addresses some common misconceptions in cyber security about the use of AI: how effective is AI-generated script? Can it be used to identify zero-days? What does the future of AI look like in cyber security? The pair then address how cyber security professionals can leverage AI within their own teams to drive efficiency in prioritising and executing likely threats. They wrap up the podcast with some top tips for businesses to protect themselves against emerging threats emanating from AI. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper speaks with deputy chair of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security (PJCIS), Andrew Wallace MP. The pair begin their discussion focusing on the importance and need for the creation of a parliamentary joint committee on defence, with similar oversight powers to the PJCIS, to ensure that Australia’s elected representatives can conduct critical oversight of Defence. The pair also discuss: Wallace’s recent analysis piece for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, emphasising the nation’s growing need to develop and institute a whole-of-nation national security strategy, building on the work of the late major general and senator Jim Molan, AO, DSC. The number of societal, economic, and political challenges that serve to undermine and divide Australia, particularly for young Australians who feel disconnected from the nation’s future and our national security. The Coalition’s national security priorities and emphasis should it be re-elected at the upcoming federal election. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this edition of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Lieutenant Colonel Meng Wang of Aviation Command, who led the capability management team of the multi-billion-dollar project to transform the Army Aviation capability. The pair begin the discussion focusing on the Army’s need for a seamless and high-speed acquisition of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to replace the troubled fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. They also discuss:  The Army’s emphasis on building and operating a fleet of reliable, interoperable airlift helicopters that will enjoy continued support, maintenance, and upgrade pathways out to the middle of the century and potentially beyond.  Navigating the US defence bureaucracy and the foreign military sales ecosystem to provide a capability that delivers a value for money proposition and true capability outcomes for the Australian Defence Force. LTCOL Wang’s career in the Army, beginning as an aviation engineer responsible for supporting the operation of the Army Chinook fleet, and the consolidation and commonality of Army’s aviation platforms around the country to deliver enhanced capability. Enjoy the podcast,  The Defence Connect team