Australian Defence Magazine Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Grant McHerron and Ben Felton talk with Giles Evans who is the Director of Nuclear Consulting at ADCG and Co-Founding CTO of Australian Nuclear Power. We discuss the steps that need to be taken for Australia to acquire nuclear capable submarines.

We start by getting an overview of Giles’ extensive naval career, then move into discussions surrounding the likelihood of whether the US will increase production to authorise Virginia sub-delivery, whether nuclear capability is worth the immense financial investment, and the benefits of joining nations in operating nuclear submarines. We also look at the infrastructure that would be required to have a rotational and permanent force, plus get an insight into whether Australia should only focus on setting up the necessary infrastructure and supplying crew for US/UK submarines rather than also building and operating our own fleet.

Lastly, the discussion wraps up by unpacking the infrastructure challenges surrounding our lack of testing centres, docks, jetties, and trained operators. 

LINKS:

Australian Defence Consultancy Group:

www.adcg.com.au

Government announces Henderson consolidation:

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/government-announces-henderson-consolidation

Industry responds to new Henderson precinct:

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/industry-responds-to-new-henderson-precinct

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest published on the ADM site.

We start with a discussion about the big announcement of the Henderson consolidation which was reported as involving billions but actually only committed a relatively small amount for breakwater extensions and a three year study. This leads us to a discussion of the fallacy of Defence as a method of economic growth, alternate funding mechanisms, and the concept of patriotic capital for funding national security.

Next up was the announcement of a Foreign Military Sales case starting for purchase of SM-6 and SM-2IIIC missiles, but there was no notification from the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency, unless that was done a while ago and we're finally acting on it? We then acknowledge that a sovereign missile construction capability would have to be producing products for international sales as the Australian market isn't large enough to make local production economical. Production in Australia can also enhance resilience in supply chains and complicate things for adversaries by increasing the number of routes to block.

We wrap the episode with a discussion of the recent ADM Australia-Defence Congress and KADEX events, the presence of Australian industry, Defence and CASG representatives, and the increasing number of Korean companies who are looking to diversify into other markets through partnerships with Australian companies, especially in space industry.

LINKS:

Government announces Henderson consolidation:

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/government-announces-henderson-consolidation

Defence Financing Summit:

admevents.com.au/defence-financing-summit

Defence announces SM-6, SM-2IIIC order:

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/defence-announces-sm-6-sm-2iiic-order

ADM Australia-Korea Defence Congress:

admevents.com.au/adm-australia-korea-defence-congress

KADEX 2024 becomes the largest ever:

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/kadex-2024-becomes-the-largest-ever

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this episode, Grant McHerron chats with Ewen Levick, Ben Felton, Julian Kerr, and Michael Flanagan about their experiences and observations on day two of the Land Forces 2024 event.

We start with Julian giving us his views on the event before heading off to yet another interview, Next up is Lockheed Martin Australia's contract with Morand to assess local suppliers' ability to source raw materials for GWEO. This leads to a discussion on building entire missiles in Australia as compared to assembling imported subsystems.

There's also discussion about AUKUS information sharing, the need for the Australian government to start issuing contracts with Australian Defence industry, especially SMEs,. Ewen mentions Western Australia's readiness to provide the extensive capabilities required to support nuclear submarines (hint: it's not just about pouring concrete!).

We wrap up by discussing Army's transition to autonomous systems and the prevalence of AI, autonomy and collaborative combat capabilities on display at the show. There's also a sneak peek into Nigel's absence from this daily wrap.

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this episode, Grant McHerron chats with Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton about their experiences and observations on day one of the Land Forces 2024 event.

We start the discussion with views on BAE Systems' unveiling of their Atlas Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV), an 8x8 autonomous armoured vehicle. We then move on to the manufacture of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles here in Australia and the issues that need to be addressed before key components can be created locally rather than imported.

The team also comment on the range of attendees and the size of the show, despite most of the big decisions for Army having already been made. It's perhaps not such a surprise when considering that Army's transition to littoral operations and long range fires is their biggest change in some time, a change that has a long way to go before it is completed.

If you're at the show, come to stand GG0 where you can pick up copies of our latest issues, including the September/October edition. You may also encounter our team on the show floor as they conduct interviews and record content.

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this episode, Grant McHerron and Ben Felton talk with Samir Mehta, President of the Communication Systems segment for L3Harris Technologies, about L3Harris’ support for Australia and resilient communications.

We begin the discussion by getting an overview of L3Harris broad range of support services, its long standing presence in Australia, and detailed insights into the Regional Support Centre and the sovereign capabilities it will deliver. We explore the importance of truly resilient communications, the considerations involved in achieving this nationally, and how L3Harris aims to support Australia in the modernisation of its communications and workforce. Samir also discusses the necessity to quickly adapt to communication spectrums in battle scenarios, the considerations involved in developing secure communications.

We wrap up by getting a sneak peak into the types of activities that the Regional Support Centre will provide once active.

LINKS:

Resilient network communications: www.l3harris.com/all-capabilities/resilient-c5isr-jadc2-network-communications

L3Harris Australia: www.l3harris.com/en-au/australia

L3Harris opens Centre of Excellence in Brisbane: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/l3harris-opens-centre-of-excellence-in-brisbane

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Ben Felton talk with Lena Parker, General Manager Energy Solutions at Ventia, about energy security and its importance for national security.

We start off the discussion by getting an overview of why energy and national security are intertwined, with a focus on moving away from coal to renewables, the responsibilities that Defence has in ensuring the supply of power to its assets and Australia’s citizens, and the challenges it faces being the largest landowner in the nation. We explore the options available, assess the current security situation, the increase in Australia’s energy usage, and the complexities in decision making related to rolling out solutions due to the number of stakeholders involved. Lena also walks us through the work Ventia is doing, primarily building generation and storage assets, decreasing consumption of electricity, and how Ventia is working with Defence to innovate scalable solutions.

The discussion also gives insights into Ventia's projects including their extensive battery services, largely for Telstra exchanges, and the difficulties involved in government policy, resourcing, and funding. We wrap up by reviewing the viability of nuclear energy especially in relation to the time it will take to launch operational facilities.

LINKS:

Ventia: www.ventia.com

Energy security is national security: www.ventia.com/insights/explainer/energy-security-is-national-security

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest from Australia, the USA and the Asia / Pacific region.

We start by discussing the announcement that Kongsberg has received $850m from the Australian Government to build a new factory at Newcastle Airport for production of missiles and to qualify Australian companies for its supply chain. Following this, we consider the recently announced update to the AUKUS Pillar One agreement which imposes stricter conditions on our handling of nuclear materials while also stating that the US & UK militaries have priority over Australian requirements.

Keeping with the US, we also discuss the new ITAR Exemptions for Australia and the UK, Australia's five Excluded Technology List items. We also discuss the recent items about Ghost Shark and Ghost Bat developments.

We wrap up the episode with a look at Regional news items, including Australia and Indonesia agreeing to an in-principle Defence Cooperation upgrade, the 6th Joint Heads of Pacific Security Meeting, withdrawal of ADF personnel from the Solomon Islands, and Indo Pacific Endeavour 2024 kicking off last week.

LINKS:

Kongsberg to build Naval and Joint Strike Missiles in Australia: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/kongsberg-to-build-naval-and-joint-strike-missiles-in-australia

New AUKUS agreement signed: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/new-aukus-agreement-signed

Australian ITAR exemption to begin on 1 September: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/australian-itar-exemption-to-begin-on-1-september

Ghost Shark makes US debut: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/ghost-shark-makes-us-debut

First Air Force pilot trained on MQ-28A Ghost Bat: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/first-air-force-pilot-trained-on-mq-28a-ghost-bat

Joint ministerial statement on Australia-Indonesia Defence cooperation: www.minister.defence.gov.au/statements/2024-08-20/joint-ministerial-statement-australia-indonesia-defence-cooperation

Pacific security chiefs meet to advance operational cooperation: www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2024-08-16/pacific-security-chiefs-meet-advance-operational-cooperation

Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2024 to deepen regional partnerships: www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2024-08-12/indo-pacific-endeavour-2024-deepen-regional-partnerships

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this episode, we’re changing the format a little as Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest from Australia, the USA and the Asia / Pacific region.

We start the discussion with the big news that the Prime Minister has reshuffled his ministers with Pat Conroy being promoted to Cabinet, Matt Thistlethwaite leaving the Defence portfolio, and Luke Gosling becoming a Special Envoy. We then discuss Ghost Shark receiving extra funding, the first Triton being officially handed over to the RAAF, and Northrop Grumman's AMP-3 contract.

Looking next at the USA and their big OPEROSE 2024 exercise that tested moving Long Range Strike supplies from Victoria to the North of the country, the implications of the first Virginia class submarine being forward deployed to Guam, and the US Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) achieves Milestone B in its development programme.

We wrap up the episode by looking at the Asia / Pacific region where the Phillipines have attended their first Exercise Pitch Black, bringing four FA-50 aircraft, the RNZAF's third new C-130J has flown in the USA, and Papua New Guinea bringing two PAC-750XL aircraft to Pitch Black 2024.

LINKS:

Defence portfolio reshuffled: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/defence-portfolio-reshuffled

Ghost Shark production approved: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/ghost-shark-production-approved

RAAF welcomes first Triton: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/raaf-welcomes-first-triton

Northrop Grumman awarded $14 million contract to maintain Australian access to US missile warning network: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/northrop-grumman-awarded-14-million-contract-to-maintain-australian-access-to-us-missile-warning-network

Integrated long-range logistics: www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-08-05/integrated-long-range-logistics

Guam slated to homeport its first Virginia-class fast-attack submarine: www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2024-08-02/navy-guam-submarine-uss-minnesota-14716907.html

FLRAA achieves Milestone B, enters next phase of development: www.army.mil/article/278591/flraa_achieves_milestone_b

Exercise Pitch Black 2024 set to break records: www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/exercise-pitch-black-2024-set-to-break-records

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Triton image supplied by & © Department of Defence.

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this episode, Grant McHerron and Ewen Levick talk with Rob Sutton, Managing Director of Mirragin, about a Defence ecosystem for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS).

We kick off the discussion by getting an overview of how Defence is currently engaging with and expanding on RAS, with insights into what is needed to build a functioning sovereign ecosystem, and the important services it can provide throughout every level of war fighting functions. Rob also gives us an insight into what has prevented a wider uptake, despite some of these technologies having been available for quite some time, and whether Defence is sufficiently scaling the RAS ecosystem.

We wrap up by discussing how Commonwealth Procurement Rules are shaping and possibly restricting RAS in Defence.

LINKS:

Mirragin Consulting: mirragin.com.au/

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024

In this episode we're featuring audio recorded at the AutogenAI Executive Exchange luncheon event held recently in Canberra, which was live streamed to the ADM YouTube channel. 

Sean Williams, the founder and global CEO of AutogenAI, takes centre stage, sharing his journey to founding AutogenAI and his career evolution from writing tender responses to tech enthusiast. He unveils the astonishing impact of AI and discusses the sociological revolution sparked by large language models, emphasising their transformative potential in reading and writing processes.

We then transition to the event's panel session which touched on topics such as the security implications of large language models, technology evolution in defence innovation, and ensuring data security with advancing technology. The discussion highlights the role of humans in AI writing assistance and addresses regulatory challenges and risk assessment in AI implementation.

We wrap up with a peak into the future of AI in defence, urging for a nuanced approach to regulation and deployment in this rapidly evolving field.

Panel:

Ewen Levick, Publisher at ADM Group

Sean Williams, CEO of AutogenAI

Abu Odigie, CEO & co-founder of Tender Trace

Rob Sutton, Managing Director of Mirragin Consulting

LINKS:

AutogenAI:

autogenai.com/en-aus

ADM YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/@AustraliandefenceAuMag

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2024