Defence Connect Podcast Network

Momentum Media

The Defence Connect Podcast Network hosts a unique series of podcasts, featuring discussions with key enablers from across the Australian defence industry. The podcasts provide the perfect blend of business intelligence and insights from a range of guests, which include government officials, ADF personnel, industry stakeholders, and members of the academic community. By aligning ourselves with the ADF and the Commonwealth government, we are uniquely placed to deliver a dynamic 360° platform that bridges the gap between the customer (Defence) and industry. We split our focus not just into the traditional sectors of Land (Army), Air (Air Force) and Sea (Navy), but into the six new Capability Streams: - Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare and Cyber - Key Enablers - Air and Sea Lift - Maritime and Anti-Submarine Warfare - Strike and Air Combat - Land Combat and Amphibious Warfare As Defence moves to ensure the Force Structure Review and the First Principles Review: Creating One Defence plans are met, Australian industry involvement is critical for mission success. The Defence Connect Podcast Network will provide you and your business with valuable lessons, tips and insights into the industry, putting your company in the best position to take part in the increased Defence spending. We’ll cover every aspect of doing business in the defence industry, from the tender process to recruitment, success stories, access points to Defence, smart business strategies, and geopolitical insights. Subscribe to the Defence Connect network and be part of this exciting and innovative industry. read less

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Doing the rounds – the week that was in Defence and defence industry

Doing the rounds – the week that was in Defence and defence industry

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Steve Kuper and Rob Dougherty discuss the events and topics that were making headlines across industry. Reporting live from the 2024 Australian Cyber Security Summit in Canberra, the pair also discuss: The Ukrainian ambassador’s indication of interest in Australia’s retiring Tiger attack helicopters. Setting the record straight on debate around Australia donating the retired F/A-18 Hornets to Ukraine. The ongoing strengthening of the relationships between the world’s autocratic powers: Russia, China, and North Korea. Mounting concerns that the United States may not directly intervene in the event of Chinese hostilities towards Taiwan.The US’ “hellscape” strategy for supporting expanded foreign military sales to Taiwan. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Episodes

Doing the rounds – the week that was in Defence and defence industry

Doing the rounds – the week that was in Defence and defence industry

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Steve Kuper and Rob Dougherty discuss the events and topics that were making headlines across industry. Reporting live from the 2024 Australian Cyber Security Summit in Canberra, the pair also discuss: The Ukrainian ambassador’s indication of interest in Australia’s retiring Tiger attack helicopters. Setting the record straight on debate around Australia donating the retired F/A-18 Hornets to Ukraine. The ongoing strengthening of the relationships between the world’s autocratic powers: Russia, China, and North Korea. Mounting concerns that the United States may not directly intervene in the event of Chinese hostilities towards Taiwan.The US’ “hellscape” strategy for supporting expanded foreign military sales to Taiwan. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Unpacking the history of Australia’s defence policy and posture, with Michael Pezzullo

Unpacking the history of Australia’s defence policy and posture, with Michael Pezzullo

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by former deputy secretary strategy in the Department of Defence and secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, Michael Pezzullo, to discuss the “long arc” of Australia’s defence policy. The pair begin their discussion focusing on the early days of Australia’s “sovereign” defence policy, beginning in the aftermath of the Second World War, and our double-edged sword fear of “entrapment” and “abandonment”. They also discuss: The evolution of Australia’s defence policy and posture during the Cold War, culminating in the 1986 Dibb Report and 1987 Defence White Paper which continues to influence the nation’s posture and policy to this day.The 2009 Defence White Paper whose development was led by Pezzullo and the Force 2030 concept which marks the first time China’s regional ambitions are highlighted and accounted for in Australian planning.The current predicament Australia finds itself facing in light of mounting great power tension and competition in the Indo-Pacific and our need to rapidly prepare. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

Moving beyond the End of History

Moving beyond the End of History

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Liam Garman, Steve Kuper, and Robert Dougherty address confusion surrounding the government’s recent recruitment announcement and examine why governments in the West remain complacent despite the continued rise of authoritarian powers. Dougherty unpacks the federal government’s recent announcement to open ADF recruitment to permanent residents from New Zealand, the UK, the US, and Canada and what this will mean for Defence.The trio then examine the West’s continued complacency regarding national security and America’s waning geopolitical hegemony, discussing whether we are looking at the end of the “end of history”.The podcast wraps up analysing the recent Collins Class life-of-type extension and the extent of Australia’s deterrence gap. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

SPOTLIGHT: Unlocking Defence performance through infrastructure design, with HDR’s Tim Napper

SPOTLIGHT: Unlocking Defence performance through infrastructure design, with HDR’s Tim Napper

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Tim Napper, federal principal at HDR, joins host Liam Garman to unpack how the Australian Defence Force can unlock the best from its soldiers, sailors, and aviators through estate design. The pair begin by discussing how the Commonwealth needs to review how it thinks about infrastructure – and how human-centric estate design can improve the wellbeing, morale, and performance of its teams.Napper then touches on examples from the health and education sectors where data-driven design is used to improve recovery and learning.They wrap up the podcast examining how Defence can make design and build more efficient, which will ensure that more businesses stay in Defence industry. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

CYBER UNCUT: Ticketmaster hacked, BreachForums back online, and some crazy tweets!

CYBER UNCUT: Ticketmaster hacked, BreachForums back online, and some crazy tweets!

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Liam Garman, David Hollingworth, and Daniel Croft unpack a crazy week in cyber security – with millions of Australians caught up in attacks through to splits within the hacking community. The trio unpack the recent Ticketmaster breach – with millions of users impacted nationwide – and the surprising name behind the attack.They then discuss BreachForums coming back online – and a recent split that has happened in the hacking community in response to the forum’s re-emergence. Garman, Hollingworth, and Croft wrap up the podcast by looking at new reporting guidelines for businesses and some crazy tweets surrounding the government’s Digital ID laws. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

US Space Force engages with Australian SMEs at AusSpace24

US Space Force engages with Australian SMEs at AusSpace24

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, editor of Space Connect Adam Thorn, Steve Kuper, and Liam Garman unpack AusSpace24 – Australia’s biggest space sector event. The podcast begins by unpacking how Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir, Commander, US Space Force Indo-Pacific, and Major General Gregory Novak, Defence Space Commander, delivered insights into the future direction of Australian-US allied space interests.The trio then unpack critical insights from the event – including how new technologies are shaping space as well as mitigating the risks of space debris.They wrap up discussing how the industry responded to substantial government funding cuts. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

CYBER UNCUT: Generative AI – driving business efficiency but also creating new cyber vulnerabilities, with Chris Fisher from Vectra AI

CYBER UNCUT: Generative AI – driving business efficiency but also creating new cyber vulnerabilities, with Chris Fisher from Vectra AI

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Chris Fisher, regional director of ANZ at Vectra AI, joins host Liam Garman to unpack how generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are creating new exploits for malicious actors and how cyber professionals can best prepare for these emerging threats. Fisher and Garman begin the podcast by examining how threat actors exploit generative AI tools, which are used to drive business efficiency, to expedite access to sensitive data.Fisher addresses some common misconceptions in cyber security about the use of AI: how effective is AI-generated script? Can it be used to identify zero-days? What does the future of AI look like in cyber security?The pair then address how cyber security professionals can leverage AI within their own teams to drive efficiency in prioritising and executing likely threats.They wrap up the podcast with some top tips for businesses to protect themselves against emerging threats emanating from AI. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

Australia’s growing need for a national security strategy, with Andrew Wallace MP

Australia’s growing need for a national security strategy, with Andrew Wallace MP

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper speaks with deputy chair of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security (PJCIS), Andrew Wallace MP. The pair begin their discussion focusing on the importance and need for the creation of a parliamentary joint committee on defence, with similar oversight powers to the PJCIS, to ensure that Australia’s elected representatives can conduct critical oversight of Defence. The pair also discuss: Wallace’s recent analysis piece for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, emphasising the nation’s growing need to develop and institute a whole-of-nation national security strategy, building on the work of the late major general and senator Jim Molan, AO, DSC.The number of societal, economic, and political challenges that serve to undermine and divide Australia, particularly for young Australians who feel disconnected from the nation’s future and our national security.The Coalition’s national security priorities and emphasis should it be re-elected at the upcoming federal election. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Delivering Black Hawk in record time and setting the record straight on Army’s Aviation evolution

Delivering Black Hawk in record time and setting the record straight on Army’s Aviation evolution

In this edition of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Lieutenant Colonel Meng Wang of Aviation Command, who led the capability management team of the multi-billion-dollar project to transform the Army Aviation capability. The pair begin the discussion focusing on the Army’s need for a seamless and high-speed acquisition of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to replace the troubled fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. They also discuss: The Army’s emphasis on building and operating a fleet of reliable, interoperable airlift helicopters that will enjoy continued support, maintenance, and upgrade pathways out to the middle of the century and potentially beyond. Navigating the US defence bureaucracy and the foreign military sales ecosystem to provide a capability that delivers a value for money proposition and true capability outcomes for the Australian Defence Force.LTCOL Wang’s career in the Army, beginning as an aviation engineer responsible for supporting the operation of the Army Chinook fleet, and the consolidation and commonality of Army’s aviation platforms around the country to deliver enhanced capability. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Life after Parliament and the changing geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific, with Scott Morrison

Life after Parliament and the changing geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific, with Scott Morrison

In this exclusive episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by former prime minister and treasurer of Australia, Scott Morrison. The pair discuss: Morrison’s departure from politics and plans for the future, his new role as non-executive vice-chairman at American Global Strategies, and as adviser with venture capital firm DYNE.A recent visit to South Korea, Australia’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific as well as speculation surrounding defence companies Hanwha and Austal.About a modern, grey-zone Cold War between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.Australia’s increasingly complex relationship with the People’s Republic of China and a recent incident between a PLA fighter jet and a Royal Australian Navy helicopter.The empowerment of Australia’s closest neighbourhood partnerships with Nauru and the Solomon Islands, and maintaining the Indo-Pacific status quo.Australian involvement in, and the behind-the-scenes formation of, the AUKUS trilateral partnership, its original intent and vision.The US presidential election and possible re-election of Donald Trump.The accomplishments and downfalls of Morrison’s career in politics and during his time as the 30th Prime Minister of Australia.Morrison’s own experiences with Australian Defence Force equipment such as F-35 stealth aircraft, Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles and a personal favourite – the Nimitz Class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

CYBER UNCUT: What advertisers and business leaders can learn from information warfare campaigns

CYBER UNCUT: What advertisers and business leaders can learn from information warfare campaigns

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack what advertisers and business leaders can learn from military information warfare campaigns and just how many similarities these fields share. They begin the podcast by looking at the history of influence on the battlefield and how business leaders today seek to harness influence through social and traditional media to proliferate their messaging. The trio then look at core lessons from the Russian campaign during the 2016 presidential election in the US – and how Russia’s market segmentation delivers interesting lessons for modern advertisers.The podcast wraps up with an analysis of how branding and narrative can capture the imaginations of a target audience. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

Private capital key to driving SME growth, with Mark Stevens

Private capital key to driving SME growth, with Mark Stevens

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Mark Stevens to discuss the recently launched Periscope Capital Partners, and how the $1 billion fund will drive growth in local defence technology and innovation. The pair begin by unpacking how access to private capital will foster growth in Australia’s sovereign defence industry, supporting supply chain resilience and delivering local economic growth.Stevens then explains how the veteran-led team is personally motivated to ensure that the Australian Defence Force can leverage world-leading defence technology, detailing how Australia’s defence SMEs can access private capital to grow their businesses.They wrap-up the podcast examining how private capital can deliver much needed funds to defence SMEs amid Commonwealth funding uncertainty. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

CYBER UNCUT: Social media giants under fire – Biden v TikTok, Grant v X

CYBER UNCUT: Social media giants under fire – Biden v TikTok, Grant v X

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Liam Garman and David Hollingworth unpack how the US and Australian governments are holding social media giants responsible for their content and data safety. The pair begin by discussing revelations that Congress is looking to force ByteDance to sell TikTok in the United States to an approved third party or face being shut down.They then discuss how Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety commissioner, is challenging X for hosting videos of the Wakeley stabbing attack and their rocky history.The podcast wraps up by analysing the recent OracleCMS hack. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

Putting veteran families first, with the Family of Veterans Guild's Renee Wilson

Putting veteran families first, with the Family of Veterans Guild's Renee Wilson

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Renee Wilson joins host Phil Tarrant to announce the rebrand of War Widows NSW to the Families of Veterans Guild, and how the organisation has a renewed mission to support all veteran family members. The podcast begins detailing the reason behind the rebrand and how the organisation will support all family members of veterans who have quietly served.Wilson then outlines the history of War Widows NSW and how the newly rebranded Families of Veterans Guild is rising to the challenge to fill the gaps between existing veteran organisations, including providing support to family members of veterans who may not meet the stringent eligibility criteria of current groups.The pair then unpack how the Families of Veterans Guild will work alongside other veteran organisations to help serve former ADF members and their families. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

SPOTLIGHT: Mission engineering – a missing piece of the capability puzzle, with Downer’s Rachel Hatton and Nathan Rickard

SPOTLIGHT: Mission engineering – a missing piece of the capability puzzle, with Downer’s Rachel Hatton and Nathan Rickard

Have you picked up on the rising swell of interest in mission engineering? In this episode, Rachel Hatton, Downer Professional Services’ Head of Mission Engineering, and Nathan Rickard, Technical Director, join Liam Garman to help demystify mission engineering, explaining why it has become a hot topic and what industry need to know. The trio begin the podcast unpacking how making projects and platforms “king” in the capability life cycle has resulted in a force that isn’t fit for purpose in the new strategic context, suggesting a paradigm shift that prioritises evidence-based decision making and a “top-down” approach.Hatton and Rickard explain the what, how, and why of mission engineering and its critical role in delivering capability at speed and on budget while ensuring that Defence is building the right things to enable key mission outcomes.The team talk about mission engineering’s evolution within the US Department of Defense and wraps up with an analysis of how mission engineering will be pivotal to delivering the strategic imperatives outlined in the Defence Strategic Review. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

SPOTLIGHT: Introducing the Australian Digital Defence Industry Matrix, with BenchOn’s Tim Walmsley

SPOTLIGHT: Introducing the Australian Digital Defence Industry Matrix, with BenchOn’s Tim Walmsley

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Tim Walmsley, founder and CEO of BenchOn, joins host Liam Garman to officially launch the Australian Digital Defence Industry Matrix – an AI-powered platform that connects suppliers with the requirements of project teams from right across Defence industry. The pair begin the podcast discussing how the Defence Strategic Review and Defence Industry Development Strategy changed the landscape of defence industry, making it easier for overseas companies to compete with Australian suppliers for Defence projects.Walmsley then unveils the Australian Digital Defence Industry Matrix (ADDIM) as a solution – a platform that connects suppliers and contractors to smooth the peaks and troughs of defence contracting to help Australian businesses compete across Australian and AUKUS supply chains.Launching this week, Walmsley then discusses how thousands of Australian small-to-medium sized enterprises have already joined the platform to leverage the benefits of interconnectivity.The pair wrap up the podcast looking at how ADDIM will support defence businesses and improve the resiliency of Australian supply chains. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

CYBER UNCUT: Using Australian cyber regulation as a global blueprint for tackling crime, with Rapid7’s Sabeen Malik

CYBER UNCUT: Using Australian cyber regulation as a global blueprint for tackling crime, with Rapid7’s Sabeen Malik

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Sabeen Malik, vice-president of global government affairs and public policy at Rapid7, joins Liam Garman to discuss the changing nature of global tech policy – applauding Australia’s stringent cyber security legislation. The pair begin the podcast by discussing Malik’s time developing tech policy within the Obama administration and how there is a hesitancy among policymakers to acknowledge the nefarious application of popular new technologies.Malik then applauds Australia as a world leader in cyber security and recommends that Australia could strengthen its frameworks yet further with privacy regulations that make cyber personally relevant to all individuals and organisations.They then discuss the necessity of public-private partnerships for cyber security, given the expertise of the private sector.The podcast wraps up with some tips for businesses to get ahead of the curb and prepare for future regulations in the sector, including developing bespoke processes based on unique risk profiles. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

CYBER UNCUT: A pipeline between Australia’s national security agencies and the cyber industry

CYBER UNCUT: A pipeline between Australia’s national security agencies and the cyber industry

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson unpack building a nexus between academia, business and our national security organisations to build a stronger domestic cyber security industry. MAJGEN (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson begins the podcast by discussing his experience setting up the Australian Defence Force’s initial cyber and information warfare capabilities and discusses creating a pathway into the cyber security industry to foster public-private innovation.The pair then unpack the challenges in creating a nexus between academia, industry and national security with the risk of foreign interference on university campuses.Tarrant and Thompson then discuss the Change Healthcare hack and the operating model of politically and financially motivated criminal gangs.The podcast wraps up by analysing the benefits of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act and the Australian Digital ID legislation and how governments can improve legislation yet further. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

CYBER UNCUT: Targeting modern industrial control systems, with Ben Miller, CISO at Dragos

CYBER UNCUT: Targeting modern industrial control systems, with Ben Miller, CISO at Dragos

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Ben Miller, chief information security officer at Dragos, joins host Liam Garman to unpack the increasing number of ransomware attacks directed towards industrial organisations and how OT/ICS operators can better protect their assets. The pair begin by unpacking how threat groups have adapted their TTPs to attack modern industrial organisations and how ransomware attacks on manufacturers continue to disrupt global supply chains.Miller then details how OT/ICS operators can strengthen their cyber security posture and how the industry can better collaborate to enhance cyber resilience.The podcast wraps up by unpacking how Dragos enhances the threat detection and response strategies of industrial operators and what the future of OT cyber security looks like. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

SPOTLIGHT: What does sovereignty mean in a post-DIDS industry? With Stephen Kowal, CEO of Atturra

SPOTLIGHT: What does sovereignty mean in a post-DIDS industry? With Stephen Kowal, CEO of Atturra

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Stephen Kowal, chief executive officer of Atturra, joins host Liam Garman to unpack how Atturra is building a uniquely sovereign workforce to deliver for Defence – and deliver some top tips for SMEs in the defence industry. The pair commence unpacking the importance of sovereignty given Australia’s geographic isolation, and what the Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) means for Australian industrial capability.Kowal then unpacks the workforce constraints facing the defence industry, and what initiatives Atturra employs to get the most from their workforce.The podcast wraps up with some top tips for SMEs navigating this journey, and how Atturra will continue delivering for Defence. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team