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

Having recovered from Avalon, we start our discussion by looking at the UK's Global Air Combat Program (GCAP) and Future Combat Air System (FCAS), Australia's interest in the program, 6th Gen in general, and the USA's recently announced F-47. We then move on to look at Australia's unique position due to its dependence on China's economics and the USA's military for defence.

The discussion naturally progresses to the topic of AUKUS and its position given the changing world and how many people in Australia only look at the likelihood of its risks and do not consider their consequences, thus avoiding the need to consider alternatives. To lift spirits a little, we then talk about HEO Space working with the Space Machines Company.

We wrap up with some plugs for our next few issues of the magazine, the Women in Defence Awards, the Women in Defence Network following the successful Women's Walk at Avalon, and the Northern Australia Defence Summit at the end of April.

Links:

Sixth-Generation fighters on the horizon

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/sixth-generation-fighters-on-the-horizon

HEO launches camera on Space-MAITRI Mission

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/heo-launches-camera-on-space-maitri-mission

Women in Defence Awards

admwomenindefenceawards.com.au/

ADM's inaugural Women in Defence Walk 2025

www.australiandefence.com.au/women-in-defence/adm-s-inaugural-women-in-defence-walk-2025

Northern Australia Defence Summit

admevents.com.au/northern-australia-defence-summit

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton are joined by Julian Kerr and our producer, Steve Visscher. It's the end of the trade days and there has been plenty of Counter UAS information thanks to Land 156, and the news that Boeing are planning to conduct the launch of a missile from Ghost Bat. We also had a flight on the Honeywell 757 demonstrator which has been showing airborne high speed communications capabilities, some of which are now installed on all new-build C-130s, including those already with the RNZAF and the ones the RAAF will be receiving.

We also hear that the RAAF are investigating options for modifying the legislation that prevents them from disabling/destroying drones over their bases as, at present, only the Federal Police can do so. We then wrap with hints of our discussions with BAE Systems regarding their 6th generation muti-role fighter, including potential opportunities for Australian involvement.

It's been a very busy and productive trade show so you can expect to see more articles online and in print, along with a number of podcast episodes, but for now, we're wrapping up our airshow dailies and returning to more regular release schedules.

Links:

Day Three of the 2025 Avalon Air Show

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/day-three-of-the-2025-avalon-air-show

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton are joined by Julian Kerr to review their experiences from Day 2 of the Avalon Airshow. We note that there are more people here today, especially now that the budget has been released, then give quick summaries of our experiences today.

From there, we discuss the information that was mentioned, almost in passing, that Defence are talking to industry about a potential large business jet based platform that could supplement Peregrine and the other existing platforms. Apparently it's not the new Challenger aircraft that are being purchased by a local organisation for leasing to a government agency. Very interesting.

We then talk about Ghost Bat developments and the information that it didn't meet the US DoD's requirements for a Collaborative Combat Aircraft and that Boeing submitted another, as yet unknown platform for consideration, which indicates that the company has two CCA related platforms in development. This leads to a discussion about Anduril bringing the Fury to Avalon for its first static display outside of the USA, and Julian confirms that Anduril have rejected rumours that Ghost Shark (the underwater autonomous vessel) is not meeting Navy's requirements.

It's been another busy day with plenty to keep us busy so use the link below to get all the updates we've posted and tune in tomorrow to hear a summary of the final trade day at Avalon Air Show.

Links:

Day two of the 2025 Avalon Air Show

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/day-two-of-the-2025-avalon-air-show

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025