Defence & Security Podcast Network

What are One Nation's aspirations and policies for domestic manufacturing, infrastructure and military capability?

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Senator Malcolm Roberts, who is representing Pauline Hanson's One Nation political party.
Senator Roberts holds a bachelor of engineering (honours) from the University of Queensland and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He previously worked as a mining engineer and general manager in the coal industry before entering federal politics.
The podcast conversation includes the following topics:
One Nation's defence policy framework and its focus on national self-sufficiency, logistics and manufacturing capability.
The importance of sovereign capability in food production, energy security and defence industry resilience.
Defence infrastructure proposals, including northern rail logistics corridors and domestic steel production.
The role of accountability, military culture and leadership within the Australian Defence Force.
Debate surrounding diversity initiatives, recruitment challenges and "warrior culture" in defence.
Australia's defence procurement strategy, including perspectives on AUKUS, submarine acquisition and foreign defence partnerships.
The balance between supporting domestic defence manufacturing while ensuring access to proven military capability.
Concerns regarding governance, bureaucracy and decision making within defence procurement and public administration.
Finally, the discussion wraps up looking at the future of Australian defence preparedness, including the intersection of infrastructure, manufacturing and national sovereignty.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

How can Australia keep pace with the rapid proliferation of drones reshaping the character of warfare and creating new challenges for militaries, governments and critical infrastructure operators around the world?
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Ben Westgarth, chief executive officer of Department 13, to discuss the evolution of counter-uncrewed aerial system technology and Australia's role in developing sovereign capability.
Dougherty and Westgarth examine the significance of Project LAND 156, the Australian Defence Force's program to establish a layered counter-drone capability capable of detecting, tracking and defeating emerging aerial threats.
The pair explore the role of radio frequency detection technologies in modern electronic warfare, highlighting how Department 13's capabilities contribute to situational awareness and threat detection across increasingly complex operating environments.
They discuss the changing nature of drone warfare, drawing lessons from contemporary conflicts where low-cost, rapidly adaptable drone systems are challenging traditional military capabilities.
Westgarth outlines how focusing on the fundamental characteristics of drone systems, rather than individual models, can provide a more enduring framework for counter-drone development.
Looking beyond defence applications, the pair discuss the importance of dual-use technologies, balancing commercial opportunities with national security requirements.
Westgarth highlights the growing need for layered detection, warning and response systems to defend military installations, government facilities and essential national assets against emerging drone threats.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Spotlight team

Genetec's lead security architect joins the Cyber Uncut podcast to unpack the impact of AI on vulnerability hunting, prompt injection, and how to become invisible with one simple trick.

This week on the Cyber Uncut podcast, host David Hollingworth speaks with Genetec's lead security architect, Mathieu Chevalier, about how AI is dramatically impacting both physical and cyber security, the hidden costs of Anthropic's Claude Mythos, and why AI speed must always be matched with human intelligence.
But first, Chevalier shares his simple trick to appear invisible to AI with the assistance of just one page of text – or maybe just a T-shirt!
The pair then dive into how AI empowers Genetec's security platforms, the rising costs of every AI prompt, and the true power of vulnerability hunting in a post-Mythos world.
"I would say the best practices are not established now. It's still so new, and changing so fast," Chevalier says.
"So we're kind of trying to learn all together, as a cyber security community, how to do this."
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team

How can the new guard of Australian defence technology companies accelerate development of autonomous maritime capability through rapid manufacturing and AI-enabled uncrewed systems?

In this special Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference & Exhibition episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Hyperion Systems CEO Josh Wigley and Greenroom Robotics co-founder and chief operations officer Harry Hubbert.

Hyperion and Greenroom Robotics have partnered to develop the southern hemisphere's first 3D printed uncrewed surface vessel. The craft combines rapid additive manufacturing with Australian autonomy software to deliver a scalable and adaptable maritime platform.

Wigley and Hubbert discuss the rapid development of the 4.6-metre USV, including Hyperion's use of recycled Australian plastics and large-scale 3D printing technology alongside Greenroom Robotics' autonomous navigation and mission software.

The podcast conversation includes the following topics:
Development of the southern hemisphere's first 3D printed autonomous USV.
The use of sovereign Australian autonomy software for navigation and mission control.
Rapid manufacturing techniques and the role of additive manufacturing in accelerating defence capability delivery.
Potential operational applications including ISR, persistent surveillance, logistics support and mine warfare.
Lessons drawn from modern conflicts, including Ukraine, and the importance of adaptable autonomous systems.
The role of sovereign supply chains, recycled materials and scalable production in Australia's future maritime capability.
Finally, the discussion explores the future role of autonomous and uncrewed maritime systems within the Royal Australian Navy, including how Australian industry can rapidly scale sovereign capability development to meet evolving strategic requirements.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

How is Australia's naval shipbuilding sector preparing for a new generation of landing craft, autonomous maritime systems and general purpose frigates?

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Paddy Gregg, chief executive officer of Austal, speaking directly from the Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference in Perth.
Austal is one of Australia's leading naval shipbuilders and is currently progressing the Landing Craft Medium and Landing Craft Heavy programs under the federal government's Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement alongside continued production of Evolved Cape Class patrol vessels for the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Border Force.
Gregg discusses the timeline for construction of the new landing craft fleet, developments in sovereign supply chains and workforce growth, and Austal's preparation for future involvement in the general purpose frigate program based on the Japanese Mogami Class design.

The podcast conversation includes the following topics:
Construction timelines and design progress for the Landing Craft Medium and Landing Craft Heavy programs.
Development of Australian supply chains and workforce expansion to support continuous naval shipbuilding.
Austal's role in the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement and preparations for future frigate construction in Western Australia.
The ongoing production and operational success of the Evolved Cape Class patrol vessel fleet.
Hanwha's increased shareholding in Austal and the potential for future industrial and technology collaboration.
Austal's growing experience in autonomous and uncrewed maritime systems, including projects conducted in both Australia and the United States.
Finally, the discussion explores the growing importance of autonomous vessels and uncrewed systems in future naval warfare and Australia's evolving maritime capability requirements.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team