TKMS & SEA3000, USA's AUKUS review, and deep-striking drones

Australian Defence Magazine Podcast

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We start with Grant's recent trip to Germany as a guest of TKMS where he and three journalists from Australia toured ship yards, a steel fabrication plant and a German Navy frigate. Much was learned despite the rather extreme NDAs that the ADF is placing on companies bidding for SEA 3000. We then discuss the Mogami vs MEKO options, TKMS' history of off-shore building and partnerships, the Japanese relationship vs sovereign capability, and are some relationships more one-way than others.

This leads to the need for Australian defence industry to export to other countries as the ADF doesn't buy enough quantity to justify the investment in sovereign capability, citing examples from Hanwha and Thales who are doing just that.

We then look at the AUKUS review being conducted by the Trump administration, assessing Defence spend as a percentage of GDP vs actual capability being purchased, the Defence budget being dominated by maritime platforms, Ukraine's ability to deep-strike into enemy territory via drones as opposed to very expensive and long lead time exquisite platforms. The discussion also notes our inability to defend against such a drone strike on our cities and bases, and acknowledgement of the lack of political appetite for more defence spending.

We wrap with Kirra's discussion of touring the USS Blue Ridge and speaking with Brig. Gen. Mastalir from the US Space Force. We also look at ADM's Women in Defence Network and the events held recently and coming up.

Links:

ATLA: ‘Mogami-class frigate sale will deepen Australia-Japan defence ties’

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/atla-mogami-class-frigate-sale-will-deepen-australia-japan-defence-ties

Trump launches AUKUS review

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/trump-launches-aukus-review

ASPI says defence spending is not enough

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/aspi-says-defence-spending-is-not-enough

ADM Women in Defence Network

admwomenindefencenetwork.com.au

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Producer: Steve Visscher

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