The Shephard Defence Podcast

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard news team looks at some of the highlights emerging from the latest UK National Audit Office (NAO) report on MoD procurement in the air, land and sea domains; and we talk to Bell about the progress of the V-280 Valor programme to meet US Army Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) requirements.

Newsround [00:30]

The Royal Canadian Navy on 26 June commissioned Harry DeWolf as the first of eight planned Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, as the country seeks to bolster its capabilities in the High North.

At the SOFINS show this week in Bordeaux, Internest and Zodiac Milpro announced joint development of a take-off and landing platform for autonomous UAVs on rigid hull inflatable boats.

New helicopters for the Japanese army have moved a step closer to reality now after development of the UH-2 utility platform was declared complete on 24 June.

In Focus

Defence Journalist Alix Valenti, Air Editor Tim Martin and Senior Land Reporter Tim Fish discuss all key points emerging from the recent NAO report as the UK MoD faces programmes delays, cancellations, fall in number of platform upgrades across the air, land and sea domains.

Interview- Bell on V-280 Valor [27:32]

Tim Martin is on the line with Ryan Ehinger, VP and programme director of the FLRAA Future Long Range Assault Aircraft programme/ V-280 Valor at Bell, to discuss the progress of the platform which has now entered Competitive Design and Risk Reduction Phase 2.

This episode was brought to you in partnership with our sponsor Raytheon Intelligence and Space.
Produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, the Shephard team looks at the global MLRS market, focusing on current programmes and platform upgrades; and in an interview with the Digital Ground Forces Division of the IDF, we discuss its Tzaid programme, also known as Torch.

Newsround [ 00:56]

Turkish defence companies Ares Shipyard and Meteksan unveiled the new anti-submarine warfare variant of the ULAQ unmanned surface vehicle family on 23 April.

Australia got one step closer to receiving its first UCAV after the US State Department approved a potential $1.65 billion FMS package for up to 12 weapons-ready MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft.

The US Army in Europe is adopting Li-Fi optical wireless communication technology that uses the visible light, ultraviolet and IR spectra to transmit data.

UK-based pureLiFi will provide its Kitefin system to US Army Europe and Africa in what the company described as ‘the world’s first large-scale deployment’ of the technology.

In Focus

A week on from the sinking of the Nangala Cakra-class (Type 209) Indonesian submarine north of the coast of Bali, News Editor Ben Vogel and Senior Reporter Tim Fish look at submarine safety and consider the wider implications the incident will have on the Indonesian Navy.

This week also marks a key moment for the Spanish Army as after a decade-long wait, Spanish shipbuilder Navantia launched the first of four S-80A Plus submarines and could be ready to deliver the new platforms from 2023.

In news from the air desk, Air Editor Tim Martin discusses Finland’s progress on the HX programme. Helsinki is getting closer to selecting an aircraft for its €9.4 billion ($11.4 billion) HX fighter competition after receiving best and final offers from five competitors.

And the testing of IFV contenders for the Czech Army programmes begun this week with the service initiating tests of three IFVs on 26 April.

Deep Dive – Global Market of MLRS [23:20]

Senior Land Analyst Sunny Butterworth discusses updates, replacements and the wider global market for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

Interview – IDF [41:48]

Tim Fish is on the line with Major Amos Shor, Head of the Digital Ground Forces Division, Ground-Forces Weaponry Branch of the IDF, for a conversation about the Tzaid programme, also known as Torch.

This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, as we welcome in the new year, we take the chance to look back at some of our best coverage from across the Asia-Pacific region and the military training sector.

Asia Pacific 2020 highlights [00:44]

Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas is on the line with Shephard’s Asia-Pacific Editor Gordon Arthur to wrap up some of the main news from his region in 2020.

Last year coverage saw a great focus on China in the context of the Sino-Indian border dispute which culminated with an academic in China claiming the People’s Liberation Army employed a microwave weapon against Indian troops at Lake Pangong during the ongoing Eastern Ladakh border dispute.

If the alleged claim is true, this would be the first use of microwave weapons in combat.

2020 was also a crucial year for Indonesian efforts to boost its capabilities, for example with procurement of new frigates from Europe and Japan.

North Korea’s military spectacular night-time parade made the headlines in October because of the wide array of weapons on display, including a colossal road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile.

What connectivity issues are the US military facing? Listen to Shephard Studio’s podcast series on Five Eyes Connectivity, sponsored by our partner Viasat.

Military Training 2020 highlights [22:12]

Multimedia Journalist Noemi Distefano talks to Military Training Editor Trevor Nash to discuss some of the main technologies, programmes and new systems in training and simulation, including Trevor’s takeaways from the 2020 virtual I/ITSEC show.

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast our Air Editor talks to Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies about Skyborg and Loyal Wingman programmes and we consider how the UK MoD integrated review could change UK defence and security policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Newsround: (00:40)

The US Army will evaluate the Patria Nemo 120mm turreted mortar system in a Foreign Comparative Testing exercise. Tests will take place in Finland and the US, assessing Nemo against US ammunition and US Army requirements.

Following delays caused by COVID-19, the Philippines has finally selected new light tanks, 8x8 fire support vehicles and 6x6 APCs to equip the Philippine Army’s Armor Division.

The annual Euronaval trade show and conference was held virtually last week, highlighting a number of programme updates and technology developments. During the show, Naval Group unveiled its futuristic SMX 31 E stealth submarine design.

News in Focus
Air Editor Tim Martin reports on the the Hellenic Navy set to receive a new fleet of MH-60R naval helicopters among reported workforce difficulties for F-16V supplier Hellenic Aviation Industry that could cause industrial complications for Lockheed Martin.

Tim also discusses all the updates on Boeing's AH-64 production programme, which has now been restarted in the middle of an investigation concerning previously reported safety issues.

The Dutch MoD has released its new Defence Vision 2035 which forecasts a doubling in upcoming budget request to match the outlined requirements. Is this realistic while European economies reel from the impact of COVID-19?

Interview- Mitchell Institute for Aerospace studies (22:00)

Tim Martin is on the line with Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments at the Mitchell Institute, and Lukas Autenried, Senior Analyst at the Mitchell Institute. They discuss the recently released paper Understanding the Promise of Skyborg and Low-Cost Attritable Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, which analyses how US Air Force can maintain high readiness and modernise an aircraft inventory that is both old and small.

Interview- A conversation around UK integrated review (44:40)

Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas is on the line with Duncan Bartlett, former BBC Tokyo correspondent and author, for a conversation on UK defence planning in terms of the Asia-Pacific region.

This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.

This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, we explore the evolution of military simulation and training technologies, including advancements in cloud computing, networked training, and the increasing use of simulation in response to changing military demands.
Jeff Tasseron, director of strategic growth for CAE, talks to Dr Alix Valenti about how new simulation and training technologies are impacting the defence sector.
Each month on the Shephard Defence Podcast, our team of international journalists and analysts take deep dives into defence issues, focusing on niche market sectors and looking at where the trends are heading.
We also feature regular content developed by Shephard Studio in cooperation with our partners.