We discuss several recent momentous events, including the inauguration of President Donald Trump. This has been followed immediately by various disruptions, such as the US slapping 25% tariffs on allies Canada and Mexico, with only 10% levied on the enemy China, which seems an odd way of going about things.
Trump has also threatened to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal and turn Canada into the 51st state. These challenges to the international order have received widespread condemnation – but not from Australia because our politicians are too scared to say anything that might upset the Americans. And the government wonders why its popularity is sinking.
The secrecy around SEA 3000 continues, with a team of probity staff scrutinising the media like Victorian era sensors trying to find references to breasts and buttocks – and this ridiculous exercise by Defence is costing we taxpayers millions of dollars per year in stupidity. Finally good news – a media visit to HQ Joint Operations Command, with more about this in the next podcast.
Hi Kim, a very interesting Podcast. You’re article on Sea3000 was well worth the read as well as the comments from the usual sources. Going off track here, I recently read a paper by Jennifer Parker, An Australian Maritime Startagy , Resourcing the RAN . ( I know, 2023 but there’s a lot of reading out there) I was particularly interested in her theory, which seems about right, that the Navy seems to be building a Capability then forming a strategy to match it,rather than forming a Strategy and building a Capability to meet it . I’d be interested to hear view on it.
Thanks. It is very difficult to figure out what the RAN is up to because they don’t say much – other than periodic attacks on the media for not running more positive stories about their secretive programs. For SEA 3000, I guess the name General Purpose Frigate says it all. It’s basically a replacement of the ANZAC class – but potentially less capable if they do not have the Saab 9LV CMS / CEAFAR combination.