Defence & Security Podcast Network

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

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

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

We are consistently reminded that Australia is a maritime trading nation and, as such, is exposed to all the vulnerabilities. So why haven't we prepared accordingly?
As the ceasefire in the Middle East collapses and both sides begin to once again ramp up their efforts to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz and the globally sensitive waterway, Australia is reminded of its inherent vulnerability to global maritime shocks.
To date, Australia's response to these challenges has been to default to the organs and institutions established by the post-World War II order, seeking arbitration, mediation and resolution, however, those mechanisms no longer suffice.
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by UNSW's Professor Douglas Guilfoyle and Associate Professor Daniel Prior, authors of the World in Transition report detailing the challenges which face Australia and now thrown into public focus as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
The trio deep dive into the legal, economic and political challenges that have emerged as a result of the conflict in the Middle East and Australia's mounting issues that will only continue to compound in the coming months.
They also discuss the ramifications of post-Cold War globalisation and the creation and vulnerability of the "just in time" supply chain ecosystems and what can be done to minimise our exposure to these challenges.
Finally, they also interrogate the phenomena of "friendshoring" and "reshoring" as solutions to bringing supply chains closer to home as a means of securing national interests and what models can be leveraged to change Australia's self-inflicted vulnerability.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team