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Defence & Security Podcast Network — Government
Defence & Security Podcast Network

The Defence & Security Podcast Network hosts a unique series of podcasts, featuring discussions with key enablers from across the Australian defence and security 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 & Security 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 & Security Podcast Network and be part of this exciting and innovative industry.

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Latest Episodes:

CYBER UNCUT: AI security woes, Aussie schools caught in international breach, and ThreatLocker's Rob Allen May 11, 2026

Show notes

Australian students and teachers have been compromised by an international data breach, with thousands of kids likely impacted. David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft break down how it happened, why it matters, and what schools need to do to protect themselves. PLUS! Cyber Daily partners with Austrade to bring you a series of interviews direct from the RSA Conference 2026. Artificial intelligence is having an impact on almost every industry, and finance is no exception – that's why the US Federal Reserve is helping the sector navigate the global impact of AI. And while organisations are adopting the technology at pace, they're often too slow to secure it. Understand why that matters and what your organisation can do.

The big news of the week stems from a breach of cloud education platform provider Instructure, and Aussie schools – and staff and students – have already been compromised. Find out what happened, who did the hacking, and what it means for the education sector at large. If you're a school CISO, this is vital information!

Finally, the podcast wraps up with a pair of special guests, as Austrade's investment director at the Australian embassy in Washington sits down with ThreatLocker's Rob Allen to talk about the company's philosophy, its operations in Australia, and the importance of application control in the modern enterprise.

Just another week in cyber security.

Enjoy, The Cyber Uncut team

Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell May 07, 2026

Show notes

How close can a modern reproduction come to the legendary Supermarine Spitfire from World War II? And what does preserving and flying these aircraft reveal about aviation engineering, military history and innovation? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Keith Russell, owner and pilot of the Whitsunday Spitfire, a 90 per cent scale reproduction of the iconic World War II Mk26B Spitfire aircraft.

Formerly known as the Port Hedland Spitfire and White Gum Spitfire, Russell's aircraft recently appeared at Warbirds Over Scone 2026 in NSW and Warbirds Over Wānaka in New Zealand.

Russell is also the former owner of Golden Eagle Airlines, a regional airline previously operating out of Derby, Western Australia, and has spent decades immersed in aviation operations and historic aircraft.

Drawing on his experiences flying both reproduction and original wartime Spitfires, including a two-seat Spitfire flight at Duxford in 2005, Russell discusses the engineering, handling and passion behind operating one of the world's most recognisable fighter aircraft.

The podcast conversation includes the following topics:

How the reproduction Spitfire compares to original wartime aircraft in handling, flight dynamics and pilot experience.
The engineering evolution of the aircraft, including modern modifications, experimental aviation regulations and replica aircraft manufacturing.
The strong international warbird community and the passion driving private ownership of historic military aircraft.
Operational realities of flying tailwheel aircraft, aerobatics and maintaining aviation discipline and safety.
Paint schemes, restoration authenticity and the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with personal customisation.
The role of innovation in aviation, from handcrafted aircraft design through to CNC manufacturing and experimental engineering.

Finally, the discussion explores the nature of warfare with older aircraft making a return to defeat drones and autonomous systems during the conflict in Ukraine.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

CYBER UNCUT: AI without guardrails – why Australian businesses are sleepwalking into cyber risk May 04, 2026

Show notes

Qualys ANZ managing director Sam Salehi joins the Cyber Uncut podcast to expose the expanding AI attack surface, the governance gaps exposing organisations, and why boards must translate cyber risk into dollars to take it seriously. This week on the Cyber Uncut podcast, host Liam Garman speaks with Qualys ANZ managing director Sam Salehi about the rapidly evolving "AI attack surface" – from shadow AI usage and prompt injection risks to data leakage and model vulnerabilities – and why a lack of visibility is leaving businesses exposed before they even realise it.

Salehi outlines the core problem facing security leaders: organisations often don't know what AI tools are already in use, let alone how to secure them. The conversation explores how fragmented tooling, poor asset inventory, and missing business context are undermining risk management efforts, while boards continue to push AI adoption for efficiency gains. Salehi argues that leaders are flying blind, prioritising the wrong threats while leaving critical exposures unaddressed.

From data minimisation and API security to continuous monitoring and the rise of the "risk operations centre", Salehi emphasises the need for a unified, risk-based approach. His bottom line is blunt: in an environment where exploitation timelines are shrinking to hours, the only metric that matters is how quickly organisations can detect and close exposure – before attackers do.

Enjoy, The Cyber Uncut team

Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence May 01, 2026

Show notes

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

Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

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

CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

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

SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco's David Astbury Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

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

CYBER UNCUT: EU gets age verification right, Anthropic's Claude Mythos, and the week in cyber attacks Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

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

Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

How can Australia improve veteran support while strengthening recruitment, retention and workforce pathways in the Australian Defence Force? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh to discuss preparations for Anzac Day, the recently released 2026 National Defence Strategy, and ongoing reforms following the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Minister Keogh outlines key developments in defence capability investment, workforce growth and leadership changes across the ADF.

The discussion explores the importance of supporting veterans through transition into civilian careers and strengthening pathways into defence industry.

The conversation also addresses cultural and generational shifts within the veteran community, including engagement with younger veterans and the role of organisations like the Returned & Services League in a changing landscape.

The podcast conversation includes the following topics:

Upcoming National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program priorities.
Recent ADF leadership appointments and their significance for the future force.
Progress on implementing royal commission recommendations and veteran wellbeing reforms.
Recruitment and retention trends across the ADF, including workforce growth and application improvements.
Veteran employment pathways, skills recognition and transition into civilian and defence industry roles.
Challenges and opportunities in building a representative veteran community voice.

Finally, the discussion reflects on the meaning of Anzac Day, recognising the service and sacrifice of Australian men and women.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

SPOTLIGHT: Open-source growth across defence and national security, with SUSE CMO Margaret Dawson Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the world of resilient, mission-ready defence systems – welcome to open source. In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Margaret Dawson, chief marketing officer at SUSE, to explore the evolving role of open source software in modern defence environments.

Dougherty and Dawson discuss how the open-source model is being applied across defence, from enterprise systems to tactical edge environments, where software must operate securely in disconnected, high-risk conditions. Benefits include greater transparency, rapid innovation and scalable collaboration internationally.

Dawson explains how technologies like Linux and Kubernetes support modular, lightweight architectures, allowing defence organisations to deploy and manage applications across diverse and constrained environments.

The conversation also highlights key challenges, including air-gapped systems, security requirements and software supply chain integrity, alongside the role of industry in delivering hardened, compliant solutions.

Looking ahead, the pair touch on the growing influence of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and how open-source principles can support faster, more adaptable capability development.

This is more than a technology discussion, it's about enabling resilient, mission-ready defence systems through modern software approaches.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Spotlight team

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