Defence & Security Podcast Network

Questions remain around sovereign manufacturing. Can Australia continue scaling its land and cyber capabilities while balancing industrial capacity and long-term strategic priorities?
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro discuss a significant week across Australia's defence landscape, in particular the $750 million investment to expand the Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle fleet (PMV).
The discussion explores the platform's operational performance, lessons learnt from deployment in Ukraine, and emerging considerations around counter-drone technologies, including the potential integration of directed-energy systems.
The team also assesses news about the broader land capability developments, including a $2.3 billion push to enhance the Army's long-range strike capacity through systems such as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
Attention then turns to domestic industrial capacity, with a closer look at Australia's ability to manufacture key components locally, such as vehicle engines.
On leadership, the team discusses the appointment of a new defence secretary, marking a historic milestone and signalling a potential shift towards stronger alignment between defence strategy and domestic industry policy.
Rounding out the episode, the panel dives into emerging cyber defence priorities, including proposals for a national cyber reserve force.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

How is Australia building a specialised space workforce while balancing sovereign capability, allied integration and the operational demands of a contested domain?

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Commander of Australian Space Command, Major General Gregory Novak AM, to discuss the rapid evolution of the space domain and its growing importance to national security.
MAJGEN Novak outlines the role of Space Command as a force generation organisation responsible for raising, training and sustaining Australia's space capability.
The discussion explores direct entry pathways and creation of dedicated space workforce streams, including space operations officers and specialists as well as how these roles will build deep technical mastery while maintaining integration across land, sea, air and cyber domains.
The episode also examines how Australia is prioritising key mission areas such as satellite communications, space domain awareness and missile warning while balancing sovereign capability development with allied and commercial partnerships.
The podcast conversation includes the following topics:
Introduction of direct entry recruitment pathways for space operations roles.
Development of a specialised Australian Defence Force space workforce and career progression model.
Key priority mission sets, including satellite communications, space domain awareness and missile warning.
Balancing sovereign capability with allied, partner and commercial integration.
The role of space in enabling joint force operations and national resilience.
Growth of Australia's domestic space industry and opportunities in launch capability.
Challenges of operating in a contested and congested space environment.
The importance of public awareness and understanding of space's role in everyday life.
Finally, the discussion reflects on the future of the space domain, the need for speed in capability development, and the importance of nurturing the next generation of space professionals.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

The release and messaging surrounding the 2026 National Defence Strategy and 2026 Integrated Investment Program is just the latest salvo in the government's effort to direct the national conversation about our national security.
With the government emphasising major increases in Defence spending over the next decade, the government is hoping that the headline figures and a lack of public understanding of Defence spending will be enough to convince the nation we're doing enough to protect our interests.
Hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and Steve Kuper deep dive into the current battle for control of the narrative and the unfolding strategies being leveraged to target various Australian demographics, with specific examples in the economic domain as Australians face increasing inflation and fuel insecurity despite what they're being told.
The trio also unpack the latest announcements around the winds of change sweeping through the Department of Defence, with the recent appointments to chief of Defence, chief of Army and the appointment of the new secretary of Defence designed to emphasise the government's priority areas: national resilience and sovereignty.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

The world of maritime operations is built on a bedrock foundation of modern naval sustainment.
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by David Astbury, Asia-Pacific general manager for Defence at Serco, to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities shaping maritime maintenance and sustainment.
Kuper and Astbury discuss the growing importance of resilient, sovereign sustainment capabilities as Australia prepares for the delivery of future naval platforms, including AUKUS submarines and an expanded surface fleet.
The pair explore advancements in autonomous systems and digital technologies that are reshaping traditional sustainment models, requiring new skill sets across electrical, electronic and software domains.
They discuss the impact of life cycle management, with defence organisations placing greater emphasis on designing platforms with sustainment and upgrade pathways in mind. Platforms must be adaptable, with more frequent upgrades and modular architectures.
Cost pressures remain a key challenge but looking ahead, they examine the growing influence of artificial intelligence in maintenance and diagnostics, enabling faster decision making and reducing reliance on traditional support models.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Spotlight team

David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft dive into the biggest stories in cyber security and cyber intelligence, and Anthropic's Claude Mythos preview and Project Glasswing continue to cover both – and it's already been breached. Plus, age verification plans in the European Union (EU), and a wrap-up of ransomware incidents impacting Aussie businesses.
Love it or hate it, but age verification appears to be here to stay, and while Australia may be struggling with its implementation, Hollingworth and Croft think the EU may be on to something with its take – find out why, and why it's a better idea than Australia's.
Anthropic's Claude Mythos AI model is hyped as a vulnerability-hunting powerhouse and too dangerous to share, but outsiders have already gotten inside. And one expert thinks the hype for the platform doesn't match the reality.
Finally, it's been another less-than-stellar week for ransomware actors targeting Australian businesses, with a crane manufacturer, a pharmacy, and a family history society all falling victim to hackers.
Just another week in cyber security.
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team