Defence Connect Podcast Network

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Major General (ret’d) Mick Ryan, David Horton (vice president, Asia-Pacific at Systematic) and Robert Wilson (business development manager, Asia-Pacific at Systematic), join editor of Defence Connect Liam Garman to discuss how the Australian Defence Force (ADF) can strengthen its posture amid changes to the threat environment. Key topics of the conversation include: Reflections on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with a specific focus on how the ADF can learn from Ukraine’s resistance to optimise its warfighting posture. Systematics’ all-domain offering and how it can provide the ADF with a critical advantage on the battlefield. The power of a technologically and socially networked military. The nature, importance, and role of modern military alliances. Building Australia’s self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on the global supply chain. Investing in distributed lethality v large-scale, platform-oriented capability. The future of warfare. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for defence, joins co-hosts Major General (Ret’d) Marcus Thompson, inaugural head of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Information Warfare Division and Phil Tarrant, director – defence and security at Momentum Media, to discuss Australia’s broader defence strategy. • The trio begin by discussing the rapidly evolving geostrategic environment against the backdrop of an ongoing conflict in eastern Europe and growing instability in the Indo-Pacific region. • Hastie, a veteran of the ADF, then stresses the importance of strengthening Australia’s defence and security posture, making particular reference to enhancing cyber readiness. • He goes on to explain why the Commonwealth government must continue investing in Australia’s sovereign industrial capability to reduce dependence on foreign networks. • The shadow minister for defence concludes by outlining his top three priorities over the next three years. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Graeme Bulte, CEO of Aquaterro, joins host Phillip Tarrant to discuss the company’s new work to deliver next-generation capability to the Australian Defence Force.   The pair begin by announcing Aquaterro’s selection to support Project LAND 159 Tranche 1 as part of a NIOA-led team recently selected by the Commonwealth government. Bulte discusses the company’s contribution to the program, which involves the delivery of a new side-arm weapons system for warfighters. The CEO then shares plans for the future, including the establishment of a new small-arms facility in Victoria.   Bulte concludes by explaining Aquaterro’s business model, revealing how the company funds its growth ambitions.   Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, shadow assistant minister for defence Phillip Thompson joins host Phillip Tarrant to discuss the federal opposition’s plans for defence and the defence industry. The pair begin the podcast unpacking the Coalition’s role in opposition, with Thompson expressing his intent to shape an environment where Australia’s warfighters are looked after and able to succeed in their mission.   The podcast continues unpacking some of the Coalition’s immediate priorities, including ensuring optimal helicopter procurement. The pair wrap up the podcast discussing last September’s AUKUS agreement and the submarine program. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this very special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Mark Donaldson VC — now a strategic advisor for Microsoft — and Daniel Keighran VC, key account manager joint capability at Thales Australia and New Zealand, join host Phil Tarrant to discuss equipping Australia’s future warfighter. The two Victoria Cross recipients discuss the importance of providing Australia’s servicemen and women with the latest equipment to achieve battlefield outcomes, including: a. Cognitive decision-making tools; b. Translation capabilities on battlefield radios; c. High-value target intelligence and identification equipment; d. Section level information sharing capabilities; and e. Digitising equipment to streamline maintenance and sustainment. Mark Donaldson VC and Daniel Keighran VC then unpack their recent business ventures at Microsoft and Thales, including the Nexium Defence Cloud and the digital battle rifle, and how technology will enable warfighters to make quicker, smarter and more effective decisions on the battlefield.  The podcast wraps up with an analysis of the war in Ukraine to assess the future of multi-domain conflict.  Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

Lockheed Martin Space is one of the most prominent players in our global industry, responsible for everything from building spacecraft to connecting soldiers on the battlefield. In this special podcast episode, David Ball, the business’ regional director for space in Australia and New Zealand, talks about why our local industry is surging and what the future holds. Ball discusses the formation of Defence’s space division, the importance of sovereign resilience, and why space domain awareness has become a crucial component in our industry. Finally, Ball discusses his amazing career, which started in the Royal Australian Air Force, and where his passion for space comes from.

In this special episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, Major General (Ret'd) Marcus Thompson, inaugural head of the ADF's Information Warfare Division and Phil Tarrant, director – defence and security at Momentum Media, unpack the extent of the Optus hack, and how the data breach could impact regular Australians. Looking back at similar large-scale hacks that have shocked the industry, the pair observe how the normalisation of mass data breaches demands continued collaboration in the industry as hackers can target any business, at any time. The pair continue the podcast discussing the difficulty of attributing the attack to either state-based actors or criminal gangs, and recent trends in cyber victimology. The podcast wraps up with recommendations for Optus customers, including the use of new passwords, app-based two-factor authentication and monitoring for financial intrusion. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team

  In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut Podcast, Dr Torsten George, vice president, corporate and product marketing at Absolute, joins Liam Garman to discuss the dynamic threat of endpoint risk — and how businesses can build a cyber security offering that expedites recovery in the event of a breach. The pair begin the podcast establishing how endpoint risk threatens small, medium and large businesses, and assess the cyber security practises that allowed some businesses to thrive or dive in the era of remote work. The podcast continues with an analysis into the current threat trends within the endpoint risk environment, and how businesses can address such risks. Dr George explains Absolute’s recommendation for businesses to develop a “go bag” in the event of a cyber breach, noting that it is not enough to just have preventative security — but also frameworks to expedite recovery. The pair wrap up the podcast by discussing the emergence of cyber security insurance, andwhether it is sufficient in the modern threat environment.   To read the Absolute Endpoint Risk Report, click here.    Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team  

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, the founder of BrothersNBooks, Australian Army Infantry Officer Dylan Conway, joins host Nastasha Tupas to discuss this year’s 5in50 Challenge charity fundraiser in support of Legacy Australia, and how “the world’s coolest book club” has grown from its humble beginnings — through Conway’s lived experience — into a massive online community today that has changed the culture of reading in just two years.   Conway discusses how he led the push to create a culture that endorses and shares new ideas gained from education, promoting mental health wellbeing, and reveals where he plans to take the world’s coolest readathon next. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, director of Purvue Consultancy Group and 22-year Australian Army veteran Leo Purdy joins host Liam Garman to discuss the role of the infantry fighting vehicle on the modern battlefield and how LAND 400 Phase 3 will help shape the Australian Army’s warfighting capabilities. The pair begin the podcast discussing the role of the infantry fighting vehicle on the battlefield, and how the capability is required to move beyond the APC and enhance Australia’s battlefield effectiveness. The podcast then continues with a discussion regarding the number of IFVs procured by the Australian Army, and how they will play an essential role in Australia’s Combined Arms Fighting System. The pair wrap up the podcast discussing LAND 400 Phase 3, including the variants looking to be acquired by the Australian Army and how industry can support the program. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team