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APDR Podcast Episode 20 with host Kym Bergmann
Retiring the Taipan helicopters in 2025 was always a very bad idea – and now the decision never to return them to service is completely irrational. In making the announcement Defence Minister Richard Marles said this would cause a major capability gap – so why do it? The lack of interest in trying to understand the availability problem is stunning – and it’s an example of how poor decision-making has become when it relates to Defence. More than 500 of these helicopters are in service around the world. Italy has about 120 and has deployed them successfully to Afghanistan. At the other end of the scale, New Zealand has achieved the highest availability rate in the world for their eight Taipans. Also, we continue the imaginary conversation with Lloyd Austin about AUKUS and some of the idiotic features of the deal that Australia urgently needs to renegotiate. To listen to the podcast, click here. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]
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Kym Bergmannhttps://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/
Kym Bergmann has more than 35 years of experience in journalism and Australian and international defence industry. After graduating with Honors from the Australian National University, he joined Capital 7 television, holding several positions including foreign news editor and chief political correspondent.
After 2 years on the staff of a Federal Minister, he moved to the defence sector and held senior positions in several companies, including Blohm+Voss, Thales, Celsius and Saab. In 1997 he was one of 2 Australians selected for the Thomson CSF 'Preparation for Senior Management' MBA course, the other being Chris Jenkins - formerly the CEO of Thales Australia.
He has also worked as a consultant for a number of companies, including Raytheon, Tenix (now part of BAES) and Martin Marrietta (now part of Lockheed Martin). He had several board appointments, including Thomson Sintra Pacific (1994 - 96) and Saab Pacific (1998 - 2003).
He retains good personal links with senior figures in Government, as well as in industry and the media. He decided to return to journalism in May 2008, and holds the position of editor for Asia Pacific Defence Reporter (APDR) and Defence Review Asia (DRA). He is also a podcaster and commentator on defence and national security issues.