Defence & Security Podcast Network

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Bell Flight's international military campaign manager, Javier "NERF" Ball, and Capture Team Lead-LAND 4503 Rowan Tink join host Phil Tarrant to discuss the LAND 4503 – Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Replacement program. Javier and Rowan break down the expeditionary-focused and ruggedised nature of the AH-1Z Viper platform, building on decades of pla...

Australia is well known for its high standards in the innovation space and the high calibre of graduates coming through the ranks. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, BAE Systems chief technology officer Nigel Whitehead joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss innovation in the Australian Defence force and the changes within the industry over the last 20 years. Nigel shares his views on Aust...

Australia's defence industry has been garnering significant reputation internationally for the quality of the work provided by both prime contractors and small-to-medium enterprises for some years, and continues to do so. In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, representatives from Thales Australia join host Phil Tarrant to provide fascinating insight into the workings of an enterprise kic...

CEO of Pulse Global Stephen Becsi joins host Phil Tarrant on this week's episode of the Defence Connect Podcast to discuss workplace culture, behaviour and why he believes culture is not something that should be owned by HR. Becsi reflects on his 20 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy, retiring as the Director of the Strategic Reform program. He shares how he applies his skill set from t...

On this week's episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Accenture ANZ defence lead Matthew Gollings and BCT Solutions co-founder Patrick Batch to discuss Accenture's acquisition of BCT Solutions, their partnership moving forward and what it means for tech and AI within the defence industry. Gollings and Batch reflect on their time in the defence industry, the skills t...

On this week's episode of the Defence Connect podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by newly appointed chief executive of the Naval Shipbuilding Institute (NSI) Ian Irving to discuss the institute and what its aims and ambitions are. Irving discusses how the NSI will enable the development of a highly skilled national workforce to help deliver the Australian government's Naval Shipbuilding Enterpri...

James Palmer, CEO and co-founder of Silentium Defence, joins host Phil Tarrant in this week's episode of Defence Connect podcast to discuss passive radar systems and the relationship between defence and space. Palmer reflects on his time with DST, how it led him to starting Silentium and what the business looks like as growing SME. He reveals his view on the Australian space sector, the active rol...

In this episode of Defence Connect podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Mark Hodgson, a leadership expert and thought leader, to discuss leadership and what it means in the defence industry.  Hodgson reflects on his short-lived career in the UK Royal Navy as a pilot and what he was able to take away from his two years of service, his views and observations towards the defence industry and the r...

In this episode of Defence Connect podcast host Phil Tarrant is joined by Mike Whitelaw director and NSW manager of Wandering Warriors, the fundraising initiative of the Australian Special Air Service Association. Wandering Warriors assists ex-service personnel transitioning from the ADF into the corporate world, and Whitelaw stresses the importance of finding a role that utilises their skill set...

Veteran Chris Rhyss Edwards came within moments of taking his own life. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, he recounts how it was an SMS at exactly the right time which changed that decision and is the reason that he is alive today. Joining host Phil Tarrant, Edwards shares how this occurrence shaped his decision to explore how technology could be used to avoid veteran suicides, unpac...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Richard Cho, managing director and vice president, Hanwha Defense Australia outlines the South Korean industrial giant's plans for LAND 400 Phase 3 and LAND 8112. Joining host Phil Tarrant, Mr Cho also discusses the importance of the strategic partnership between Australia and South Korea and the long-term ambitions of Hanwha. Enjoy the podcast, The...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Raymond recounts that almost half of her life has been spent within the Royal Australian Navy. Joining host Phil Tarrant, LCDR Raymond reflects on this time, discussing the recruitment process, her first day in uniform and the change that she has seen in the sector since. LCDR Raymond reveals the decisions that shaped h...

Dr Brendan Nelson AO's role as director of the Australian War Memorial is one of great responsibility, reflecting on the lives lived and lost during Australia's time at war. It is a role where Dr Nelson reveals he showcases stories in the context of war, which are so often not about war itself but a celebration of the Australian spirit. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Dr Nelson joi...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by vice president of vehicles and tactical systems at Thales, Kevin Wall, who will discuss the capabilities of land vehicles currently in service within Australian Army, those about to go into service, and the role of Thales in future-proofing emerging technology to meet the needs of a future defence industry. Wall will di...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by engineer, project manager and solution integrator at Mirragin Aerospace Consulting, Rob Sutton, to discuss Australia's role as a leader in the growing drone sector and its place in defence industry. Sutton will share how Mirragin is tailoring solutions to an array of clients while unpacking the vast capability of drone...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by the director of international mine warfare programs at Northrop Grumman Corporation, Gene Cumm, to discuss how they are aiding the development of an autonomous future for the minehunting sector. Cumm will define minehunting versus minesweeping, discuss the transition into an autonomous minehunting model that Northrop Gr...

This Anzac Day, Soldier On Australia is conducting an awareness and education campaign in honour of those Australians who returned from war 100 years ago, and to support the ongoing services that they continue to offer to veterans and their families. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Soldier On CEO Mat Jones, who discusses the campaign, his journey into...

Having previously covered his role as capture leader for the SEA 5000 program, David Eyles of Thales again joins host Phil Tarrant on the Defence Connect Podcast to discuss multi-static technology, the developments that it has seen since its inception, and how it will be utilised in the roll out of the Type 26 Hunter Class frigate. Eyles will address the operational benefits that can result from u...

In this special compilation episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by multiple attendants of the Avalon International Airshow and Defence Exposition to discuss their roles in defence industry. First to join the show is Air Marshal (Ret'd) Greg Bagwell, CB, CBE, to reflect on his 36 years in the RAF and discuss his current role as executive vice president of business de...

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, recorded live on site at the 2019 Avalon International Airshow and Defence Exposition, host Phil Tarrant is joined by new Victorian defence industry advocate John O'Callaghan to talk about the integration of Victoria's defence industry in the defence supply chain; Andrew Pryor, business development director at Northrop Grumman Technology Serv...

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, recorded live on site in Avalon on day two of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive Vince Di Pietro and Professor Deborah Hodgson from the University of Newcastle to discuss the Altitude Accord and the role defence primes play in supp...

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast recorded live on-site at the Avalon International Airshow and Defence Exposition, host Phil Tarrant is joined by the senior analyst of defence strategy and capability at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Dr Malcolm Davis, and Defence Connect journalist Steve Kuper to discuss some of the challenges facing the Australian defence landsca...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Seeing Machines general manager Patrick Nolan and flight simulation and training lead Alexander Robinson join host Phil Tarrant to discuss the work that they are completing in the human factors science sector to create AI technology that observes driver habits and attention, and the opportunities that such technology is presenting in training within...

As the executive director of the Australian postgraduate research internship program at the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, Gary Hogan is bridging the gap between SMEs and academic research and intelligence. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Hogan joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss this little-known program and how it can, in his opinion, revolutionise the business models...

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast recorded live on site in Avalon on day one of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Lockheed Martin's Steve Sheehy, BD VP for F-35 sustainment; Andrew Doyle, Australian sustainment lead; and Greg Ulmer, F-35 executive vice president and general manager to discuss the progress of...