The Shephard Defence Podcast

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, our news team looks into a new UK airdrop boat requirement and discusses the state of play in Turkey vis-à-vis US sanctions; we speak to our naval analyst at Shephard Defence Insight about trends in the corvette market; and our sponsor Bell sheds light on its plans for a US Army future helicopter programme.Newsround [ 01:51]At the Sea-Air-Space show in Maryland this week, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday said the navy and industry are tackling shipbuilding delays. Heavy use of analytics has resulted in an 80% cut in delays in public shipyards, and a 60% cut in private yards.In China, analysis of commercial satellite imagery shows another large ICBM silo facility under construction in eastern Xinjiang. Together with a similar facility in Gansu Province, this developments reflects a massive and unprecedented investment in China in intercontinental ballistic missiles.The UK has joined the growing group of nations that are dedicating more resources to the space domain. The new Space Command, which officially opened on 30 July, will oversee assets such as the UK Space Operations Centre, RAF Flyingdales, SKYNET and more.In focus:Host Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin and Senior Naval Reporter Harry Lye delve into an RfI from the UK MoD for a new airdrop boat capability for the A400M, and the team also takes a look at how Turkey is forging ahead with military air programmes despite the imposition of US sanctions last December.Deep Dive - Corvettes [27:11] Multimedia journalist Noemi Distefano speaks with Harriet Haywood about market trends and procurement gaps for corvettes.  Which countries need these vessels, and why?Industry Voice – Bell [45:45]Chris Gehler, Vice President and Program Director for the 360 Invictus, speaks to Tony Skinner about Bell's new Systems Integration Lab (SIL) and the company's proposal for the US Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.This episode was produced by Ben Vogel with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest. 

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, sponsored by Bell, the team delves into UK and European defence industrial policy; and QinetiQ discusses integrated test and evaluation for the armed forces.Newsround [ 01:23]Airbus told Shephard exclusively on 26 July that it wants to enhance the lethality of its H145M helicopter by adding the Spike ER2 precision-guided missile. Firing tests are planned for the second quarter of 2022.The Indian Navy has drawn up a roadmap for putting autonomous underwater vehicles into service. The navy is looking to acquire man-portable AUVs with swarm functionality, as well as lightweight and heavyweight AUVs with mission endurance for up to 15 days.In the US, the resurrection of the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle programme continued with digital design contracts for five teams. There are established names such as BAE, General Dynamics, Oshkosh and Rheinmetall – but one notable underdog is a US firm called Point Blank Enterprises, which specialises in ballistic protection solutions.In focus Host Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin and Senior Naval Reporter Harry Lye look into the issue of foreign ownership of UK defence firms after Cobham launched a bid to acquire Ultra Electronics. Is the UK moving away from its traditional laissez-faire approach to business takeovers in the defence sector? How does this posture compare with continental European governments? How do defence industrial policies affect national or cross-border procurement programmes? Interview- QinetiQ [28:58] Multimedia journalist Noemi Distefano speaks with Cathy O’Connell, Global Campaign Director for Integrated Test and Evaluation at QinetiQ, to look at the company’s contribution to modern T&E techniques. This episode was produced with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest. 

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the team looks at all the latest news from Russia as the country unveiled a new fighter jet prototype at MAKS 2021; and in an interview with Raytheon we discuss the latest on US hypersonic technologies. Newsround [ 00:42]A preliminary  virtual event took place this week in the US before the Sea-Air-Space conference early next month. ADM Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, warned about the effects of constrained funding on vital USN capabilities, and urged strategic investment in Columbia-class submarines, shipyard facilities and strategic sealift.On 20 July, Turkish company Baykar introduced the MIUS unmanned combat aircraft conceived to carry various payloads for strategic attacks, close air support, missile attacks and suppression of enemy air defences.In Poland, the government decided last week to procure  $6 billion worth of enhanced Abrams tanks and other armoured vehicles from the US, with initial deliveries planned for 2022.In focus This week the team assess the current status of the Russian Army and the Russian Navy, which is currently undergoing sea trials for its giant Belgorod submarine. Also, as MAKS 2021 takes place this week (20-25 July) near Moscow, we discuss the new Checkmate fighter jet prototype and its future market potential. Interview- Raytheon [33:18] Air editor Tim Martin speaks to Raytheon to obtain the company’s perspective on hypersonic missile technology and whether the US budget meets the need to invest in this field. This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest. 

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard News team looks at the latest from the Space Comm expo which took place last week in Farnborough, and assesses how space strategies are shaping up in the UK, France, Australia and the US.Newsround [01:50]New Zealand’s Defence Minister announced this week a post-Covid redraft of the country’s Defence Capability Plan. The new Labour-led government formed in 2020 has given reassurances that the country will not ‘cut back’ on the plan, but rather ‘review it’ ensuring it meets the changed priorities.The Venezuelan Army took part in high-profile parades in early July, showcasing that while Caracas cannot afford to invest in new equipment capabilities, it is willing to support its land forces in refurbishing existing fleets of elderly Western-supplied vehicles.Germany and Norway have signed a €5 billion contract with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the construction of six Type 212 Common Design submarines.Initial deliveries are expected in 2029 for Norway, and early 2030 for Germany.In Focus Host Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin, Land Editor Tim Fish and Senior Naval Reporter Harry Lye engage in a conversation around the space strategies of UK, France, Australia and the US. Following another delay in the publication of the UK space strategy, the team considers what impact Brexit and the subsequent exclusion of Britain from the European Galileo space programme have had on the country. Elsewhere, the team looks at where Australia is at in enhancing its space-based assets following creation of the Australian Space Agency in 2018 with an investment of  A$73.2 million.Interview – Airbus Defence and Space [28:35] On the floor of Space Comm expo event, which took place in Farnborough on 7-8 July, Tim Martin speaks with Allen Antrobus Director Military Space at Airbus  for an insight into the company’s approach to the changing nature of the space domain and new emerging threats.This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest. 

 In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast we focus on Swiss F-35 procurement, naval sustainment and the market for armoured vehicles in North Africa. Newsround [00:39]In Germany, the Bundeswehr is pushing ahead with an ambitious upgrade of its entire fleet of Puma IFVs as it heads towards the development of a new armoured division. In Singapore, the Navy is rolling out of augmented-reality glasses to its naval fleet, enabling crews on deployments to rectify faults with subject matter experts back onshore. The Czech Army's artillery fire control system acquisition programme is finally set to come to fruition this year following COVID-related delays. In the UK, the Defence Science Technology Laboratory has received funding to work with industry on  innovative new missile systems by 2023.In FocusDefence Journalist Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin, Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish and Senior Naval Reporter Harry Lye engage in a round table discussion that covers the latest developments from Switzerland in the Air2030 programme, plus contracts for the UK Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy that will enhance ship sustainment in the coming years. Deep Dive – Defence Insight on Northern Africa armoured vehicles procurement [24:00]Multimedia Journalist Noemi Distefano speaks to Senior Land Analyst at Shephard Defence Insight Sonny Butterworth about the market for armoured vehicles in Northern Africa. In this troubled region and hotbed of terrorist activity, militaries face new requirements for land forces. This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard news team looks at some of the highlights emerging from the latest UK National Audit Office (NAO) report on MoD procurement in the air, land and sea domains; and we talk to Bell about the progress of the V-280 Valor programme to meet US Army Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) requirements.Newsround [00:30] The Royal Canadian Navy on 26 June commissioned Harry DeWolf as the first of eight planned Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, as the country seeks to bolster its capabilities in the High North.At the SOFINS show this week in Bordeaux, Internest and Zodiac Milpro announced joint development of a take-off and landing platform for autonomous UAVs on rigid hull inflatable boats.New helicopters for the Japanese army have moved a step closer to reality now after development of the UH-2 utility platform was declared complete on 24 June. In FocusDefence Journalist Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin and Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish discuss all key points emerging from the recent NAO report as the UK MoD faces programmes delays, cancellations, fall in number of platform upgrades across the air, land and sea domains.Interview- Bell on V-280 Valor [27:32]Tim Martin is on the line with Ryan Ehinger, VP and programme director of the FLRAA Future Long Range Assault Aircraft programme/ V-280 Valor at Bell, to discuss the progress of the platform which has now entered Competitive Design and Risk Reduction Phase 2. This episode was brought to you in partnership with our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space. Produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.   

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard news team covers news from the simulation and training, land and sea domains; in an interview with MARSS we look at the capabilities the company is offering to Saudi Arabia, as the country shapes up its Vision 2030 policy; and our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space provides an insight on space-base assets and their contribution to missile warning and missile defence. Newsround [01:23] HMS Defender was in the news twice this week as it firstly hosted representatives of the UK and Ukrainian MoDs plus Babcock who signed a  comprehensive agreement covering new ships, training, and the regeneration of naval facilities; secondly, on 23 June, the Russian MoD claimed to have fired warning shots during the Type 45 destroyer’s passage close to the coast of Russian-annexed Crimea. The UK MoD disputed this account.French company Novadem will use next week’s SOFINS special forces show to present the integration of its NX70 micro-drone with Pilar gunshot warning and localisation technology from Metravib Defence.The US DoD on 21 June announced that three ‘unique weapons capabilities’ will be developed for and installed on F-35A and F-35B aircraft by Lockheed Martin for the UK and Italy.Honeywell is providing its TALIN Inertial Land Navigation Technology to the Australian Defence Forces to enhance the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System.In focus:Defence Journalist Alix Valenti hosts a round table discussion with Military Training Editor Trevor Nash, Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish and News Editor Ben Vogel.The team looks at the Training & Simulation symposium which took place in Orlando, as well as the Argentinian and Australian land procurement programmes.Interview- MARSS Group [28:37]Multimedia Journalist Noemi Distefano speaks to Andy Forbes, MD of MARSS KSA Office, about the work his company is doing with local industry from a defence perspective to support the Saudi Vision 2030 framework.Industry voice- Raytheon Intelligence and Space [46:23]Many people do not realise how much of the missile defence mission occurs in space. However, space-based assets are essential for missile warning and missile defence, and the mission is evolving, as Rob Aalseth and Melissa Morrison Ellis from Raytheon Technologies explain to Tony Skinner.This episode was brought to you in partnership with our sponsor Raytheon intelligence and space.Produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest. 

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we look at German defence procurement and  modernisation efforts; we catch up on all the news from the Asia Pacific; and we speak to our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space about the impact of digital engineering on the defence sector. Newsround [01:12]NATO's Flying Training Europe programme took a major step forward last week after 10 members signed an MoU.Bulgaria, Croatia and Portugal had been poised to join but they did not sign the document. However, Italy has joined the group.In Australia, the Department of Defence has belatedly acknowledged the need to upgrade the Royal Australian Navy’s six Collins-class submarines.And in Russia, the MoD is going ahead with a prototype of the Shturm system. Shturm will be based on the proven T-72B3 chassis and is intended for urban warfare. In focusThe team looks at the latest news from Germany as the country is currently undergoing modernisation efforts for its armed forces as well as procuring new platforms. Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish discusses highlights from the recent RUSI Land Warfare conference, when Inspector of the Army Lt Gen Alfons Mais stated that a mental change is needed at a military leadership level to make the modernisation possible.From the air desk, Tim Martin gives an update on the German heavy-lift helicopter tender and other aircraft programmes. Deep Dive: News from the Asia Pacific [21:08]Ben Vogel is on the line with Asia-Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur to discuss some of the top stories from his region.Topics include the South Korean CVX programme and Indonesian frigate procurement news from MADEX; Philippines pursuing T129 Atak helicopters from Turkey; Bangladesh receiving new rocket launchers from Turkey; and the latest on China’s PLA procuring new tanks in bulk. Industry Voice- Raytheon Intelligence & Space [43:00] For the defence sector, digital engineering offers a new paradigm, a way to speed up delivery while increasing customer confidence.Shephard’s Creative Director Tony Skinner speaks to Raytheon Intelligence & Space Mission Systems Architect Mark Davis, and Systems Engineer Madison Dye about the disruptive role that digital engineering is now playing. This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest    

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the team looks at the latest French exports report;  and, following the most recent annual Gripen seminar from Saab, we discuss interest in extra procurement from Brazil and potential trends in the region. In the second part of the show we look at the US Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) programme.Newsround [01:39]UK procurement minister Jeremy Quin admitted in Parliament on 8 June that there are ‘serious issues’ with the British Army’s Ajax armoured reconnaissance vehicle programme. IOC for the Ajax programme is expected to be achieved later in June, with the UK MoD, contractor General Dynamics UK, and the British Army now struggling to keep pace.  The US Marine Corps has successfully flight-tested a two-way Link 16 connection between a Viper helicopter and a ground station.For the first time, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has rolled out genuine tanks – as opposed to armoured vehicles  – for its marines. In focus Defence Journalist Alix Valenti, News Editor Ben Vogel and Air Editor Tim Martin look at the some of the key points emerging from the French MoD report on national arms exports and discuss the interest in procurement of Saab Gripen E/F fighters in South America.  Interview: Raytheon Missiles and defence [25:52] Ben Vogel is on the line with Bryan Rosselli, VP of Strategic Missiles and Defense at Raytheon, to discuss the benefits and evolution of the Next Generation Interceptor programme. This episode was brought to you in partnership by our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space. Episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest. 

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast we delve into the newly released US FY2022 defence budget proposal; and we speak to the Institute for Security Science and Technology (ISST) at Imperial College and Iceni Labs about efforts by academia and industry to support defence R&D in the UK. Newsround [01:02] At the Land Forces 2021 exhibition in Brisbane, Australia, local firm Cyborg Dynamics displayed a demonstrator version of its Warfighter UGV armed with twin Spike LR2 anti-tank missile launchers.Navantia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia have teamed up to offer one solution for the Australian Army’s next amphibious logistics vehicle, while Austal laid its cards on the table as another contender.In Europe, the Croatian government last Friday finally announced a replacement for its elderly MiG-21 fighter fleet.Chinese aircraft carriers continue to worry the Japanese military, which plans to deploy a mobile aircraft control and warning squadron of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force on the Ogasawara Islands in the Pacific Ocean.In focusDefence Journalist Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin and Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish engage in a round table discussion which looks at the implications of this year’s US FY2022 budget proposal. Looking at some of the key points from the announcement, the team explains what the proposals could mean for the US Army, the USN and the USAF if approved by Congress.Interview-  ISST and Imperial College[24:40] News Editor Ben Vogel is on the line with Professor Deeph Chana, Co-Director of Imperial College’s ISST, and Alexander Giles, Chief Commercial Officer at Iceni Labs, to look at what industry is doing to support UK government plans to prioritise high-risk R&D in defence.This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest