Episodes

  • Episode 121

    Episode 121
    Dec 9 2025

    It's been a busy time internationally with the US releasing a shocking National Security Strategy document that throws Europe under a bus and favours improved relations with Russia. Australian politicians need to take note. But also some thoughts on the restructure of Defence so that acquisitions will be done by a separate agency. That's all well and good but the

    main improvements need to be cultural and attitudinal on the part of Defence managers. Keeping the same people and giving them new titles won't make the slightest difference. The rumours were correct and more aid will go to Ukraine - but given that the US is in the pocket of Russia a lot more will be needed. A final thought - the US is currently siding with China over their ugly war of words with Japan. Why should Australia be any different?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Xinjiang Media Tour - Part 1

    Xinjiang Media Tour - Part 1
    Dec 3 2025

    APDR was invited for a media tour to China’s Xinjiang autonomous region in September and we decided that listeners will be interested in more details than have so far been reported.


    This podcast is part travel log, part analysis and part personal commentary about the experience. We set the scene with some thoughts about China and the first part of the visit to Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang. Part 2 next week will begin with arriving in Kashgar.


    Comments on our website asiapacificdefencereporter.com are welcome, as are emails to: kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net


    Abusive content will not be allowed.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Episode 120

    Episode 120
    Dec 1 2025
    We start with breaking news of a Defence restructure - though it's too early to tell if it will make a difference. Then - despite the best efforts of many - the government is refusing to close a loophole allowing Russian oil to be sold in Australia, though it is possible that a new aid package is being developed. It can't come fast enough with the US continuing to side with Russia in a plan that would end Ukraine's independence - and we go into the main motivation: greed and the chance for the Trump family and their friends to make untold billions from the situation. Finally some words about why the US is moving towards military action against Venezuela - and that's more greed at work. Australia's politicians have to realise that the US will no longer help Australia unless there's something in it for them.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • Episode 119

    Episode 119
    Nov 24 2025
    Once again, there have been shocking developments regarding US support for Ukraine as it fights the Russian invasion. President Trump has given Ukraine an ultimatum that amounts to a surrender or lose his support. In the so-called peace proposal, Russia does not have to make any concessions. It is now obvious that President $Trump is for sale to the highest bidder - and it's time Australian policy makers realised that. The first thing we should do is to provide more aid to Ukraine because despite talking about the rules based order in the last 12 months nothing has been donated to Kiev. Some current Australian policies actually benefit Russia. Finally some words on why Mogami frigates will never be built in Australia.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Episode 118

    Episode 118
    Nov 17 2025

    We start with some more information about the major Indo-Pacific maritime conference in Sydney and the description of it by Defence Minister Richard Marles as a type of Disneyland. Unfortunately, this is emblematic of the trivialisation of Defence topics in this country and partly explains why there has never been a serious discussion about acquiring nuclear powered submarines, or many of the embarrassing details of SEA 3000. Looking internationally, the US is behaving erratically with President Donald Trump now being openly bribed. Is this how a reliable security partner behaves? On top of that, there might be a few more problems coming up for the pace of US submarine construction.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • Episode 117

    Episode 117
    Nov 10 2025
    The Indo-Pacific Maritime Expo had quite a few submarine related news items and we look at a few of them, including about future Combat Management Systems. Unfortunately, most journalists continue to act as government stenographers and are either unable or unwilling to ask any awkward questions about AUKUS. It's not clear why when there are many issues that still need to be understood. To make sure that never happens, the government and coalition have disgracefully joined forces to block a Senate inquiry into the matter. The terms of reference are entirely reasonable and would have provided the Australian people with much needed information - but we can't have that. Some words about South Korea - and they will probably have their own nuclear-powered submarines before the first SSN-AUKUS is even launched. Finally a question - does the ADF believe in extra-judicial killings?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Episode 116

    Episode 116
    Nov 3 2025
    It's been a big week in South Korea with the Presidents of the US and China meeting on the fringes of APEC. Another related development was the US agreeing to help South Korea develop nuclear powered submarines. The Australian reaction has been predictably snarky and ill-tempered as people to start to realise we aren't as special as we have been telling everyone we are. While it's early days, it looks like South Korea will be building new submarines for themselves, not buying second hand clunkers from the US that we have fallen for. Finally, the Trump-Xi meeting looks like it has been a major win for China. No surprise there.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • Episode 115

    Episode 115
    Oct 27 2025
    Before discussing Korean defence industry and the huge ADEX show in Seoul, some words about the state of the US, which seems to be in a political mess. The problem with all the positive coverage of the Donald Trump - Anthony Albanese meeting a week ago is it risks blinding people to the obvious reality that the US might not be in a position to defend anyone. We could be reaching that point much sooner than anyone anticipated - and Australians have to start thinking seriously about that prospect. Thankfully for defence equipment, there are some alternatives, including from South Korean defence industry. The capabilities of the Republic of Korea are extraordinary, and the rate of growth seems to be increasing - and we have a quick look at the KF-21 supersonic jet fighter. A stealth version of it will appear soon - and it will be similar in performance to Australia's F-35s.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins