In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Sarah Baker, Partner for Program Design & Delivery, and Sheena Ireland, Executive Director for Program Design & Delivery, from Synergy Group about the role of women in leadership in delivering Defence capability.

We start the discussion by getting an overview of the importance that diversity in leadership roles holds for Defence, along with ways inclusivity and perspective can be achieved. We get an insight into the major challenges women face and how they can support and empower each other to advocate for their perspectives, as well as address unfair sentiments surrounding quotas. The discussion gives us a detailed insight into what authentic leadership involves, with a focus on being yourself, emphasising self awareness, natural communication, curiosity, and listening to their teams.

We wrap up by exploring how continuous transformation is a key part of seeing strong change in the Defence sector.

LINKS:

Synergy Group:

synergygroup.net.au/defence

Women in Defence Awards:

admwomenindefenceawards.com.au

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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, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred in the world of Defence since early December.

We start off noting that the government has shifted into election mode with plenty of announcements with almost every quote in the announcement stating that the "Albanese government" has done something, as opposed to only one of the quotes being written in this manner. We discuss Minister Conroy's recent announcements regarding ASCA, Mission Black Thorn, and funding to support local industry joining AUKUS supply chains. We also look at Boeing's fourth quarter results which were released on the day we recorded, noting that their Defense, Space & Security division expects to have pre-tax charges of US$1.7 billion across the KC-46A, T-7A, Starliner, VC-25B and MQ-25 programs.

Next up is news from across the ditch with the RNZN not replacing HMNZS Manawanui that sank off Samoa last year, but will instead use HMNZS Otago to pick up much of the work previously tasked to Manawanui. Additionally the NZDF have launched an RFT to cover replacement of the RNZAF's aging Boeing 757 K2 fleet with the Airbus A321NEO (either the LR or XLR variant) and the Boeing 737 Max 8 being the acceptable platforms. Finally the RNZAF C-130Hs are commencing retirement as all the new C-130Js are in the country, and 60 new utility vehicles from Spain's UROVESA have been ordered to replace a quarter of the existing Unimog and Pinzgauer fleet.

We wrap the episode with a discussion on the Army's sea boats replacement transitioning to an FMS order from the US Navy instead of a local solution, the release of the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan and Review of the ADF Reserves on the last working days of December, and Nigel talks about his visits to Japan to view the Mogami Frigate and to the USA to visit a number of Lockheed Martin production facilities.

LINKS:

Defence opts for FMS to replace Army sea boats:

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/defence-opts-for-fms-to-replace-army-sea-boats

HMNZS Manawanui will not be replaced, Government says:

www.1news.co.nz/2025/01/19/hmnzs-manawanui-will-not-be-replaced-government-says

Strategic Review of the Australian Defence Force Reserves:

www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/strategic-review-of-the-adf-reserves

Defence releases Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/defence-releases-naval-shipbuilding-and-sustainment-plan

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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...

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton review and discuss some of the recent news of interest published on the ADM site.

We start off looking at the recent agreement for RAAF KC-30As to refuel Indian P-8Is at any time, not just in exercises, and how this will likely expand to cover their other aircraft. We also touch on India's unique position of dealing with Western countries as well as Russia, and their blue water anti-submarine capability.

The discussion then moves on to the recent down-select of SEA 3000 options to TKMS and MHI but it appears that the designs being discussed aren't really those already in the water. Certainly there will be issues such as the need to meet Australian regulations but if we're creating a new design then it could be Hunter Frigates all over again, let alone having "orphan" vessels with unique combat, radar and communications systems. There's also the question of whether this will be decided before the 2025 federal election and, if so, whether the resulting government will change the agreement afterwards.

Meanwhile, the LCH design has been awarded to Damen in the Netherlands but we note that it was as a sole-source tender with no indication of why Birdon's design, which is attacting attention from the US Army, wasn't selected. We also hope that Austal won't experience a "valley of death" between completing their remaining vessels and commencing the LCM builds which has not yet been locked in.

We wrap the episode with a discussion of Fleet Space's work with DSTG on the ASCEND2LEO program which has seen their Centauri 6 LEO satellite demonstrate data and voice for the ADF. The final observation is that the Dec/Jan issue of ADM will be arriving in January with the annual Industry Top 40 information, which should make for interesting reading.

LINKS:

RAAF signs AAR agreement with India

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/raaf-signs-aar-agreement-with-india

Project Sea 3000 down to three designs

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/project-sea-3000-down-to-three-designs

Damen design selected for LCH

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/damen-design-selected-for-lch

Fleet Space Technologies demos data and voice for ADF:

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/fleet-space-technologies-demos-data-and-voice-for-adf

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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...