APDR Podcast Episode 156 with host Kym Bergmann

We start with some words about delayed flights in Australia and how this is a metaphor for obscure Defence decision-making, especially on subjects like AUKUS. Nuclear-powered submarines are great for travelling long distances at high speed underwater but there has never been any analysis of how this benefits Australia – particularly for the gigantic amounts of money involved. Then some more words about Ukraine and the use of AI-enabled uncrewed systems. Ukrainian forces have completed – or are just about to complete – a 4-phase offensive that has regained significant amounts of territory illegally occupied by Russia – and has continued to inflict around 1,500 casualties per day. The key enabler for this operation has been the use of uncrewed ground vehicles – a clear indication of how rapidly the nature of warfare is changing. Australia remains completely oblivious to what is going on, treating uncrewed technology as a curiosity rather than a fundamental game-changer. Even the US has woken up to this with comic book character Pete Hegseth announcing that an autonomous warfare command will be established. This is accompanied by a 120 day review into the entire future of warfare. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]