The Shephard Defence Podcast

These are uncertain and changing times for UK politics and defence strategy. So much has changed — domestically and in the world at large — since the UK government released the Integrated Review and MoD Command Paper in early 2021. Shephard Media's news editor Ben Vogel sits down with General Sir Richard Barrons, former commander of the UK's  Joint Forces Command, to discuss whether the...

So much has changed — domestically and in the world at large — since the UK government released the Integrated Review and MoD Command Paper in early 2021. In this special podcast episode, Shephard Media's team of subject-matter experts looks into the key points in these documents, and ask if the assumptions behind them remain valid in the changed security and defence climate today. The discus...

Establishing and maintaining air dominance has been a primary objective for militaries since the earliest days of air warfare. But as the US government and industry focus on sixth-generation fighters and other future platforms, what capabilities are required to ensure sustained air dominance of the US and allied forces? Welcome to this bonus episode of the Shephard Defence Podcast, which is brough...

Shephard Media's news editor Ben Vogel discusses the naval UAV platforms and programmes with air editor Tim Martin, senior naval reporter Harry Lye, and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann. Each month on the Shephard Defence Podcast , our team of international journalists and analysts take deep dives into defence issues, focusing on niche market sectors and looking at...

In this bonus episode of The Shephard Defence Podcast, we bring you the third episode from the latest series of the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast.   Sponsored by our partner Viasat, the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast looks at the origins of the Five Eyes arrangement, considers what it means for military interoperability, and hears how the unique partnership should evolve for the future.   In this...

Shephard Media's news editor Ben Vogel discusses the major news from the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow with air editor Tim Martin, senior naval reporter Harry Lye, and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann. Each month on the Shephard Defence Podcast , our team of international journalists and analysts take deep dives into defence issues, focusing on niche market...

In this bonus episode of The Shephard Defence Podcast, we bring you the second episode from the latest series of the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast.   Sponsored by our partner Viasat, the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast looks at the origins of the Five Eyes arrangement, considers what it means for military interoperability, and hears how the unique partnership should evolve for the future.   With t...

The Shephard Media news team report from the floor of Eurosatory , the biennial international defence and security exhibition. Shephard Media's news editor Ben Vogel discusses the major news from the show and what emerging trends were evident with senior naval reporter Harry Lye, military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann and regular contributor Samuel Beal. Each month on the...

In this bonus episode of The Shephard Defence Podcast, we bring you the first episode from the latest series of the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast. Sponsored by our partner Viasat, the Five Eyes Connectivity podcast looks at the origins of the Five Eyes arrangement, considers what it means for military interoperability, and hears how the unique partnership should evolve for the future.  The Five E...

We’re excited to share a new-look format for the Shephard Defence Podcast. Following a short hiatus, we are back with a monthly look at some of the big themes in the world of defence. The first episode looks at the rapidly-evolving situation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine .  Few defence analysts believed when the Russians invaded on 24 February that the conflict would still be raging almost three...

In the final bumper edition of The Weekly Defence Podcast in 2021, our subject matter experts look back over an eventful year for air, land, sea and training procurement programmes (including a return to the trade show scene); we look at the main developments in the Asia-Pacific region; and Air Editor Tim Martin speaks with Honeywell to discuss the T55-714C engine upgrade for US Army helicopters....

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we explore the main themes from the European Defence Agency innovation conference; we discuss the latest global arms sales data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute; and we shine a light on Middle Eastern air force procurement and naval shipbuilding. In the second part of the show, Air Editor Tim Martin speaks with Defence Insight...

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, our Military Training Editor is on the line from the floor of I/ITSEC in Orlando to discuss major themes and headlines from the show; we look into talk of a merger between two major European next-generation fighter programmes; and in an interview with Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition (ACIBC), we discuss ongoing supply chain shortages affecti...

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the team looks at how NASCAR expertise is being applied to the defence sector; we speak to CAE to understand the company’s posture seven months after the acquisition of L3 Harris Military Training business; and we discuss the C295 MPA programme with Airbus.  Newsround: [01:40] The news team dives into modification work on USN Freedom -class Littoral C...

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we take a look at the major news from the floor of Dubai Airshow 2021 and talk with Defence Insight about global trends in the procurement of second-hand platforms for ground forces. News from Dubai Airshow 2021 [01:20]  Shephard correspondent Leonid Nersisyan is on the line from Dubai to look at highlights from the show. Major news, discussed with ho...

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast the team looks at the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report and discusses the Pentagon’s 2021 China Military Power study. Newsround  The Shephard News team discussed the top stories across the land, air, sea and military training domains.  Land [1:40] The Czech Republic is facing renewed challenges in its plan to acquire 210 IFVs , after th...

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard news team delves into major recent developments on land, at sea and in the air. Newsround [1:24] After more than three decades, the UK has secured an export deal with Egypt for the sale of two former Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels. Fort Austin and Fort Rosalie are two retired ships that will be replaced by the Fleet Solid Support shi...

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we look at the main news from the Pacific Future Forum in Portsmouth and dive into export news for the Airbus A400M. We also discuss Estonian procurement priorities, and talk to BAE Systems about its recent contract under the Future Maritime Support Programme. Newsround - [00:48]  The Shephard news team takes a look at recent developments across the a...

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we look at the potential Turkish procurement of F-16 aircraft, a new Turkish USV to be showcased to NATO, and we speak to Raytheon Intelligence and Space about their new AESA radar technology. Newsround [01:05] Pearson Engineering showcased its Modular Mission Pack at AUSA with a set of palletised tools for unmanned platforms.  South Korea-headquarter...

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast we bring you highlights from the floor of AUSA 2021 in Washington DC. Newsround [02:20]  The Shephard news team unpicks some of the stories from this week, including the impending Swedish procurement of the GlobalEye aircraft ; a new milestone in Project Selborne for the UK Royal Navy; and the end of the training process for the Nigerian Air Force A-29...

This week on The Weekly Defence Podcast, we look at Germany’s plans for the P-8A Poseidon, report on the latest from the Asia Pacific region, dive into the synthetic VS live military training debate and talk sustainability with Bell.  Newsround [00:00] Germany has sent two pilots to the IFTS fast-jet training course as part of an evaluation programme.  The Dutch and Belgian navies have added a sig...

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast we speak to the Global Special Operation Forces Foundation (GSOF) to look at the aftermath of the Western involvement in Afghanistan, and we hear from Raytheon Missiles and Defence about the future of air dominance.  Newsround [00:00] The UK has finally released its National Space Strategy on 27 September after two delays.  In the new vision the UK is...

AUKUS fallout, US eyes Wedgetail and 8x8 armoured platforms In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the team looks at the AUKUS fallout, the latest USAF interest in procuring the E-7A Wedgetail, new Czech investment in artillery systems and the worldwide market for armoured vehicles.  Newsround [2:34] Thales and Schiebel have joined forces to serve the growing appetite from navies for UAS-b...

This week, we bring you The Weekly Defence Podcast from the floor of DSEI 2021 in London, to delve into topics such as the future of the UK exports market and combat engineering vehicles. Newsround [00:00] The Shephard news team unpicks some of the major stories from this week from across the air, land and sea domains. Show highlights include CAE exhibiting its own Counterpart  Single Synthetic En...

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we report on news from the US, Germany and the Asia-Pacific region, and we also hear from Theon Sensors about the night vision market.  Newsround [00:39] Aeralis has added two key partners to its integrated design team as the company works towards finalising the design before the aircraft's first flight in 2024. UK-based Inzpire has added three n...