The Shephard Defence Podcast

In this first episode of Season 3 of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we talk to the Director of Analysis at Shephard Defence Insight for a glimpse of what to expect from current and new defence programmes in 2021; and in an interview with CSIS we discuss recent developments in the US Army OMFV programme.Newsround [00:40]Australia has become the seventh country to declare initial operational capability for the Lockheed Martin F-35A multirole fighter aircraft.A second Israeli-made Iron Dome battery has been delivered to the US Army to protect troops against against rockets, mortars and other ballistic and aerial threats.This followed the arrival in September 2020 of the first Iron Dome system, which is still being implemented in the US.Spanish company Escribano Mechanical & Engineering  is developing autonomous swarming UAVs for the country’s MoD, as part of the Rapaz programme to evaluate unmanned technologies.The UK kickstarted 2021 with the declaration that HMS Queen Elizabeth and its carrier strike group have reached initial operating capability.In Focus:News Editor Ben Vogel discusses the Prometheus S-500 with enhanced missile and radar features, as the Russian MoD expects Almaz-Antey to complete development of system in 2021.Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira looks into recent updates in the US Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programme. In December 2020, the army released the final Request for Proposals for the concept design phase. What will the new design add to the programme?From the Air desk, Air Editor Tim Martin wraps up the latest news from the past couple of weeks, including a new $4 billion FMS deal to Kuwait which includes the sale of 24 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters.Deep Dive: Defence Insight 2021 forecasts [19:10] Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas is on the line with Matthew Smith, Director of Analysis at Shephard Defence Insight to look ahead at main programme milestones in 2021 across the air, land and sea domains.Interview : CSIS [35:15]Flavia Camargos Pereira talks to Mark Cancian, a former colonel in the USMC and senior adviser at CSIS, for expert insight into the updated OMFV programme. What has changed? This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with sound mixing by Fred Prest.     

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, as we welcome in the new year, we take the chance to look back at some of our best coverage from across the Asia-Pacific region and the military training sector.Asia Pacific 2020 highlights [00:44] Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas is on the line with Shephard’s Asia-Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur to wrap up some of the main news from his region in 2020.Last year coverage saw a great focus on China in the context of the Sino-Indian border dispute which culminated with an academic in China claiming the People’s Liberation Army employed a microwave weapon against Indian troops at Lake Pangong during the ongoing Eastern Ladakh border dispute.If the alleged claim is true,  this would be the first use of microwave weapons in combat.2020 was also a crucial year for Indonesian efforts to boost its capabilities, for example with procurement of new frigates from Europe and Japan. North Korea’s military spectacular night-time parade made the headlines in October because of the wide array of weapons on display, including a colossal road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile.What connectivity issues are the US military facing? Listen to Shephard Studio’s podcast series on Five Eyes Connectivity, sponsored by our partner Viasat. Military Training 2020 highlights [22:12] Multimedia Journalist Noemi Distefano talks to Military Training Editor Trevor Nash to discuss some of the main technologies, programmes and new systems in training and simulation, including Trevor’s takeaways from the 2020 virtual I/ITSEC show.

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we say goodbye to 2020 by looking back at some of our best coverage of the year across the land, air and sea domains.Naval desk coverage and worldwide defence news [00:38]News Editor Ben Vogel highlights some of the main stories written by Shephard’s contributors reporting from outside the UK.- In March, we reported on deployment of a new Turkish radar jamming system to northern Syria in support of operations against Kurdish insurgents. Will NATO allies learn lessons for EW against Russia?- The annual Russian Victory Day parade was delayed by COVID-19 but when it eventually went ahead, we looked at some of the new, old and upgraded capabilities on display in Moscow.- Hypersonic weapons have hit the headlines this year: in April, for instance, the USAF stated its intention to upgrade a number of B-1 Lancers with the ‘Arrow’ AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). In the naval domain, Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas skims through some of his 2020 copies.His top stories include: -  Ongoing EU operations in the Mediterranean, in the form of Operation Sophia and Operation Irini, are intended to help counter one of the most significant maritime crises in recent history. -   In May, a statement from the UKMTO reported a piracy attack to a British flagged tanker in the Gulf of Yemen. -   In October the UK MoD had revealed that the Fleet Solid Support ship programme will restart in Q1 2021 to ‘revitalise British shipbuilding’. The rescue strategy for UK shipbuilding is already in progress, after  Infrastrata bought the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Air desk 2020 highlights [22:21] Air Editor Tim Martin reports on updates in the F-35 programme, including the US FMS for the UAE.Tim also looks back to an interview in March with the Swedish Defence Minister, in which they discussed the Swedish defence industry and  potential complications for future equipment acquisitions.Land desk 2020 highlights [42:25] Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira looks at her extensive coverage of ground forces programmes both in the UK and abroad. She highlights the success and failures of the UK’s armoured vehicle programmes, including their omission from  the UK government announcement of an extra £16.5 billion for defence spending over the next four years; discusses the advantages of EU collaborative defence programmes; and brings us up to date on two of the largest US efforts: the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle and the Robotic Combat Vehicle. 

In this episode, we talk to a defence and aerospace analyst about next-generation air-to-air missiles, and in conversation with the Netherlands chapter of EuroDefense, a private and independent initiative, we gain an insight into their paper proposal.Newsround [00:42] In Turkey, the navy took delivery of its first P-72A maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. This platform brings capabilities – such as Link 16 tactical data link and the MK 54 lightweight anti-submarine torpedo .In Malaysia, the MoD has come under fire from the Auditor General for its handling of the delayed A400M aircraft acquisition and the overhaul of two Scorpène submarines.In the US, a survey conducted by the Government Business Council and Viasat found that slow procurement and a reluctance to use non-traditional defence companies are hindering military communications capabilities.In the Middle East, the Israel Missile Defense Organization and US Missile Defense Agency announced on 15 December that they have successfully completed a series of intercept tests, involving all layers of the Israeli missile defence umbrella.In focus Senior Editor – Naval Richard Thomas and News Editor Ben Vogel discuss Israel’s efforts to increase its capacity as a naval medical hub for the eastern Mediterranean region.The country conducted the latest demonstration of this evolving capability on 7 December when a joint NATO-Israeli Navy exercise demonstrated the ability to land a rotary platform on board a naval vessel and transfer a would-be patient to an Israeli hospital. In news from the air desk, Editor – Air Tim Martin reports on the UK MoD’s recent statement which acknowledged the government’s awareness that an F-35 circuit board supplier based in Gloucestershire belonged to Chinese parent company Shenzhen Fast Print.Tim also discloses a Shephard’s exclusive concerning the UK National Space Strategy.As the French Defence Ethics Committee published a report on the ‘enhanced soldier’, Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira discusses some of the principles and recommendations reported in the document.Interview: The Netherlands chapter of EuroDefense (22:01)News Editor Ben Vogel hosts a panel discussion with Iric van Doorn, Dutch chairperson of EuroDefense, and Jan Wind, president of the Federation of European Defence Technology Associations, to talk about the Netherlands chapter of EuroDefense and their policy proposal, which seeks to overhaul EU defence and security capabilities.Interview: Air-to-air missiles – tech and tactical challenges (50:00)Ben Vogel is on the line with defence and aerospace analyst Ed Hunt to talk about the next generation of air-to-air missiles and the challenges they pose, both in terms of technology and tactics.This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano  with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we discuss the virtual I/ITSEC exhibition with our Military Training Editor, and following the Sandia National Laboratories test which saw a mock B-61-12 weapons drop from an F-35A, we talk to the  director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists for an expert insight on this new capability.Newsround (00:51)In Russia, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov confirmed on 7 December that ‘proactive’ work is underway on a powered exoskeleton, although the Russian MoD has not yet defined its specific requirements.In the US, efforts continue to place Joint All Domain Command and Control firmly in the Pentagon's long-term acquisition plans.The US Air Force created a new avenue for prototype Advanced Battle Management System projects to be adopted into the DoD’s formal procurement portfolio.Still in the US, Taiwan has been given the green light to receive  mobile communications equipment under the Foreign Military Sales programme. In France, the next generation aircraft carrier (PANG) programme was formally approved by President Emanuel Macron on 8 December.News in FocusNews Editor Ben Vogel highlights a report on how the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region  might affect future defence procurement. UCAVs and loitering munitions are becoming a more attractive prospect, but operators of MBTs face protection problems.In news from Europe, Air Editor Tim Martin discusses what’s new for the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS programme. Substantial development progress is underway after key approval from air force leaders.Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira talks about the recent developments for the US Army Soldier Protection System programme. She looks at some features of the programme and discusses where it stands today. Deep Dive: Insight into military simulation and training (21:05)Ben Vogel is on the line with Military Training Editor Trevor Nash to discuss some of the main technologies and new systems in training and simulation, including takeaways from the virtual I/ITSEC show.Interview: Federation of American Scientists  (35:23)Tim Martin speaks to Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, about the recent test carried out by Sandia National Laboratories which saw a mock B-61-12 weapons drop from an F-35A. Does this mean any air force operating the F-35 will have a nuclear capability?Industry Voice (58:15) Creative Director Tony Skinner speaks to Josh Melin, Product Line Director at Honeywell Connected Enterprise Aerospace, about the requirements and opportunities surrounding the Military Base of the Future. What is the role that digital solutions play when it comes to military logistics and maintenance operations?

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we discuss Russia's efforts to develop a tactical hypersonic weapon, talk to Defence Insight's Analyst-Air Ilker Aktasoglu about contemporary training aircraft capabilities, and in an interview with Supacat we find out about some of the company’s vehicle technology programmes in the broader context of UK defence policy.Newsround General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced on 1 December that it has delivered two more Block 5 Reaper UAVs and a ground control station to the Spanish Air Force.Also on 1 December, Oshkosh Defense announced its second largest ever order for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and associated equipment, including two new customers.And with this week’s virtual I/ITSEC in mind, we report on moves in the UK to broaden the use of virtual reality technology for training British soldiers.The USN has declared a second major naval platform loss due to fire damage in less than a decade, after the decision was taken to decommission the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard.News in Focus News Editor Ben Vogel discusses moves in Russia to develop a tactical hypersonic missile called Klevok-D2.  What are its characteristics and how is Russia planning to deploy it?** Following the latest Coordinated Annual Review on Defence report , the European Defence Agency is looking to develop and procure next-generation MBTs for member states. Several countries are set to modernise and upgrade their in-service platforms in the short term. Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira looks at the advantages of joint programmes. In the air domain, Air Editor Tim Martin looks at recent deliveries to the British Army of remanufactured AH-64E V6 Apache helicopters and considers how the fleet might complement the army’s capabilities.Deep Dive: A conversation with Defence InsightSenior Editor – Naval Richard Thomas grabs a chat with Defence Insight Senior Analyst-Air Ilker Aktasoglu, for insight on the current market for training aircraft in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Interview – Supacat News Editor Ben Vogel is on the line with Phil Applegarth, director and head of Supacat, and Steve Austen, Supacat engineering director and chief engineer, to discuss recent developments and future prospects for vehicle technology programmes.

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we go in-depth with Defence Insight's Senior Land Analyst on the Middle Eastern and North African armoured vehicle market, and the head of CAE’s defence division casts an eye over the military simulation and training sector.Newsround: (00:41)Iran last week unveiled a large multipurpose combat vessel called Shahid Rudaki, although official claims that this is an ‘ocean-going aircraft carrier’ appear no more than an exaggerated description of a repurposed roll-on/roll-off merchant vessel.In the air domain, Airbus and the German government have submitted a formal offer to provide Eurofighter Typhoon for the Swiss Air2030 fighter modernisation programme. Switzerland intends to buy up to 40 aircraft to replace F/A-18 Hornets and F-5 E/F Tigers. In Norway, the MoD will choose between the South Korean K2 Black Panther and the German Leopard 2 A7  to improve the army's main battle tank fleet. The MoD expects to send a procurement proposal to the Norwegian Parliament for approval in 2021.News in focusSenior Editor Naval Richard Thomas digs deeper into last week’s UK defence spending announcement with Air Editor Tim Martin and Land Reporter Flavia Carmargos Pereira.The unexpected announcement of a new Type 32 ‘frigate’ during caught naval analysts by surprise. The Type 32 will likely have a focus on mine countermeasure capabilities, acting as motherships for unmanned systems currently under development.Major British Army vehicle programmes were absent from the announcement: is this an ill omen for when the Integrated Review comes out in early 2021?There was also little to cheer the RAF, although further investment in FCAS/Tempest is promised and a new Space Command will be established. Deep Dive: Armoured Vehicles (18:08) Shephard Defence Insight Senior Land Analyst Sonny Butterworth talks to Richard Thomas about the factors and influences shaping demand for armoured vehicles in the Middle East and North Africa. What are the mid- and long-term prospects for this market?What's the role of the UK space sector in the ‘Global Britain’ envisioned for the future? Listen to Shephard Studio’s Defining the Future podcast, sponsored by our partner Raytheon UK . What connectivity issues are the US military facing? Listen to Shephard Studio’s podcast series on Five Eyes Connectivity, sponsored by our partner Viasat. Interview- CAE (38:55)Military Training Editor Trevor Nash talks with Dan Gelston, President of CAE’s Defence & Security business, about future strategy and how the simulation and training industry is coping with the COVID pandemic.This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast we speak with UK-based company Iceni Labs on its work with the UK MoD to develop a range of technologies including the SafeScan Tactical Sense-Through-The-Wall radar, and we catch-up on all the news from the Asia Pacific.Newsround (00:38)UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on 19 November a £16.5bn defence spending injection, the biggest boost for the sector since the Cold War. The new package includes a new focus on the space domain.In the same statement to the House of Commons, he also provided an update on the Integrated Review and said its results would be released in early 2021. The US Missile Defense Agency and industry partners are claiming a breakthrough in defence against long-range ballistic missiles after conducting an interceptor test against an ICBM target on 17 November.The Aegis Combat System on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Finn was upgraded to integrate the Standard Missile 3 Block 2A missile. The Pakistan Navy commissioned into service the newest member of its fleet, PNS Tabuk, at a ceremony at the port of Constanza, Romania on 12 November, before it begins its transit home to begin operations in 2021. News in FocusLand Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira reports on the Brazilian MoD’s new line of investments which calls for higher defence spending across the country’s military forces. Can Brazil afford to make plans for the procurement of new capabilities? The US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $339 million contract to field a prototype Mid-Range Capability battery by 2023 to integrate the Tomahawk cruise missile and Standard Missile-6 into a new ground-launch system. News Editor Ben Vogel looks at what the US Army is looking to achieve with this new capability.A report from the UK Public Accounts Committee has raised questions about the UK's carrier strike capabilities. The 13 November report claims that the Crowsnest AEW radar system has been subjected to ‘poor contractor performance and inadequate departmental oversight.’ Air Editor Tim Martin reports on the matter. Deep Dive – News from the Asia Pacific (25:50)Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas is on the line with Asia Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur to discuss the major defence headlines from the past month in the region.Interview- Iceni Labs (47:12)Ben Vogel speaks with Alexander Giles, Chief Commercial Officer at UK- based enterprise Iceni Labs, about the newly developed SafeScan Technology. This Sense-Through-The-Wall (STTW) capability allows operators to identify individuals through barriers such as walls and doors without the requirement to physically penetrate a structure.This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast,  we talk to the Australian Strategic Policy institute to discuss what side-effects the US election results could have on defence and security policies in the Pacific region, and in an interview with BAE Systems we discuss ongoing cyber developments set to support land forces in the future battlespace.Newsround: (00:38) In Australia, the KF41 Lynx will soon be competing head-on against the Hanwha Defense Redback for a significant IFV contract.The Land 400 Phase 3 project is designed to give the Australian Army a modern replacement for its M113 armoured personnel carriers, with the new vehicles achieving full operational capability in 2030-31.In the US, the State Department on 10 November notified Congress that it intends to authorise FMS deals for the United Arab Emirates, confirming previous indications that the Middle Eastern country wants to buy F-35A Lightning II aircraft and MQ-9B Reaper UASs.In France, Suffren is the first of six new ​Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarines to be handed over to the French Navy in Toulon last Friday to begin the final phase of tests.French defence procurement agency DGA noted that the second of six Barracuda-class boats will be delivered in 2022 and the final submarine is scheduled to be commissioned in 2030.As the Israeli flag begins flying from the foremast of INS Magen, the lead ship of four Sa’ar 6 class corvettes being built for the country’s navy, new details have emerged about the programme’s timeline. News in Focus The US government is moving towards an agreement for new arms sales with the UAE, including deals for the MQ-9B Reaper and F-35 fifth generation fighter jet. Air Editor Tim Martin looks at why the US is looking to do this in the current political scenario and reports on what this deal will mean for UAE capabilities.Tim also provides an insight into the strategies that the UK is looking at to counter Russian and Chinese cyber threats that have become more advanced.Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira looks at a US DoD transformation programme set to enhance the use of AI across the department and  ethical issues related to the use of the technology.Interview – (24:05)Asia Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur is on the line with Malcom Davis, Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, to get an insight on the potential implications of the US election result for defence and security policies in both Australia and the wider Pacific region. Interview- (38:25) Shephard contributor Gerrard Cowan chats to David Woolrich, cyber operations lead in BAE Systems Fast Labs, about the company’s growing focus on cyber and how the domain can support land forces in the future battlespace.This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we bring together our team of journalists and editors to discuss the influence and impact of the result on the defence sector, the potential policy implications for the US military, and the potential effects of the result on European defence and relations with NATO countries; and we get the perspective of a former US Army Lieutenant General.NewsroundIn Japan, the MoD has picked Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to lead the effort to produce the F-X sixth-generation fighter. Prime contractor Mitsubishi is expected to work with a foreign partner – strong contenders are BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. In Australia, the Bluebottle unmanned surface vessel is to conduct a series of tests next year that will enable it to carry out a wider series of tasks for the Royal Australian Navy. In Russia, military scientists from the 38th Research Test Institute for Armoured Equipment are promoting the idea of a twin-chassis main battle tank to replace the Armata T-14 in the 2040s – but is it realistic?In the UK,  the MoD has declined to share a specific date for publication of the forthcoming Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.In focusSenior Editor Naval Richard Thomas is joined by News Editor Ben Vogel, Air Editor Tim Martin and  Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira for a round table discussion on potential changes to air, land in sea plans for the US and its allies that will follow after the presidential race winner will be named.What's the role of the UK space sector in the ‘Global Britain’ envisioned for the future? Listen to Shephard Studio’s Defining the Future podcast, sponsored by our partner Raytheon UK . What connectivity issues are the US military facing? Listen to Shephard Studio’s podcast series on Five Eyes Connectivity, sponsored by our partner Viasat. Interview – The Heritage FoundationTim Martin is on the line with  Thomas Spoehr former US Army Lieutenant General who now works as Director of the Heritage Foundation’s Centre for National Defence for an insight on potential changes to military sales, particularly those agreed with the Middle East and to dive into the strategies that the US is willing to adopt to counter Russian and Chinese threats. This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.