Australian Defence Magazine Podcast cover art

Australian Defence Magazine Podcast

Australian Defence Magazine Podcast

By: Australian Defence Magazine
Listen for free

Australian Defence Magazine (ADM) is dedicated to reporting the business of defence capability planning and procurement as well as reporting the development of infrastructure to support the ADF. ADM's main objective is to provide an essential communications bridge between defence industry and its single source customer, the Department of Defence. ADM also reports on the budgetary process, the policy development, the capability planning process and the procurement decisions which together provide the equipment and resources for Australia's defence force. This podcast showcases the people and topics of interest to ADM and supplements the content found in the magazine.Copyright Yaffa Media 2024-2026 Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Moving sustainment into the foreground

    Moving sustainment into the foreground
    Jun 17 2026

    In this episode, Grant McHerron and Neill Morgan, the partner for maritime sustainment at Coras, discuss the importance of sustainment for Defence.

    Our discussion starts by exploring the importance of including sustainment in defence acquisition processes early on. We delve into blind spots such as industry's tendency to treat sustainment as an afterthought, often overlooking risks like poor technical documentation or unclear data rights that stem from this delay and how predictable risks (e.g., obsolescence and funding gaps) which are frequently underestimated due to inadequate upfront planning.

    We conclude with the necessity of proper mobilisation to ensure the right people, access, and resources are present for a smooth transition, and better governance structures in sustainment contracts.

    Links:

    Coras

    https://coras.au/

    This episode has been sponsored by Coras.

    ------------------

    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 - © 2026
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Ghost Bat in Berlin, PMB Defence with TKMS, & impacts of the UK Defence Secretary's resignation

    Ghost Bat in Berlin, PMB Defence with TKMS, & impacts of the UK Defence Secretary's resignation
    Jun 14 2026
    In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.We start the episode discussing Boeing's MQ-28A Ghost Bat which is being displayed at the ILA Berlin Air Show as it's in consideration for Germany's Collaborative Combat Aircraft role. Boeing announced at the event a series of upgraded capabilities for the MQ-28 along with the addition of Diehl Defence and Rohde & Schwarz to the Ghost Bat industry team. From there we move on to the announcement that PMB Defence and TKMS have partnered on the Canadian submarine bid which, if successful, will see PMB supplying batteries for each boat.After those news items, it's over to the UK where the British Defence Secretary has abruptly resigned in protest of the government's failure to spend sufficient funds on Defence. In addition to throwing a spanner in the plans for Richard Marles and Penny Wong who are there for the AUKMIN meetings, this also raises the question of what effect are the billions of dollars Australia is sending to the UK Defence Industry actually having? Also, the UK's Defence spend as % GDP is higher than Australia's yet so if the UK's can be considered insufficient, what are the implications for Australia?We wrap up with a look at the need for a bridging submarine capability that could be done instead of Collins LOTE, given that program is doing less and costing more than planned. With the very real chance of delays, both in receiving Virginia class submarines and production of SSN AUKUS, it is becoming clearer that extending the aging Collins class into the 2040s may not be the best solution.Links:Boeing reveals advanced Ghost Bat capabilitieshttps://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/boeing-reveals-advanced-ghost-bat-capabilitiesBoeing German MQ-28 Ghost Bat team expandedhttps://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/boeing-german-mq-28-ghost-bat-team-expandedPMB Defence and TKMS partner on Canadian submarine bidhttps://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/pmb-defence-and-tkms-partner-on-canadian-submarine-bidBritish Defence Secretary quitshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-11/richard-marles-blindsided-after-uk-counterpart-john-healey-quits/106788486https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/uk-politics/british-defence-secretary-resigns-hours-before-aukus-media-event-with-defence-minister-richard-marles/news-story/28f300c3acdd4174cc516e5b6c288a04Submarines sail troubled watershttps://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/sea/submarines-sail-troubled-watersANAO report on Collins LOTEhttps://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/defences-collins-class-submarines-life-of-type-extension-planning-and-implementation------------------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 McHerronProducer: Steve VisscherAustralian Defence Magazine - © 2026
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Women in Defence: Institutional Change Under Pressure: Progress, Procurement and Power

    Women in Defence: Institutional Change Under Pressure: Progress, Procurement and Power
    Jun 9 2026

    In this episode we present the audio from the recent online event organised by ADM Women in Defence and National Security and the Women in Defence UK organisation. The event commenced with an introduction from the Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs.

    The event's MC was Angela Owen OBE, founder of Women in Defence UK, and the discussion panel consisted of Karin Vosmansky, Executive Director at Mack Valves Pty Ltd, Kisa Christensen, Director for Integrated Defence and Autonomy Systems (IDAS) at BAE, Donna Sinnick, Chief Delivery Officer at Babcock International Group, and Pete Burden, CEO of KDC Products.

    The discussion begins with a focus on the collaboration between Australia and the UK defence industries, highlighting initiatives like AUKUS Pillar 2. It explores how companies are adapting to a rapidly changing strategic environment characterised by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA). It also covers Nova Systems' evolution from test and evaluation into broader mission integration and assurance.

    We get an insight into the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining women in defence roles, particularly engineering. Panelists stress the need to start recruitment early, combat stereotypes, enhance work-life balance flexibility, and foster a supportive culture within both Defence and industry partners like Babcock International Group, who actively promote female representation on boards and executive committees. The panel also touches upon leveraging dual-use technology for national resilience beyond defence alone and pathways into careers via secondments or diverse roles.

    Links:

    ADM's Women in Defence and National Security

    https://admwomenindefencenetwork.com.au/

    Women in Defence UK:

    https://www.womenindefenceuk.com/

    https://www.womenindefenceuk.com/charter

    Babcock’s “Next Line of Defence” report and their SME Charter:

    https://www.babcockinternational.com/our-perspectives/the-next-line-of-defence-unlocking-sme-potential-in-uk-defence-from-policy-to-practice/

    ------------------

    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 - © 2026
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet