In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We open the episode by discussing the recent news from the meeting between Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese where AUKUS was not cancelled but the focus seemed to be on the critical minerals deal and the significant investment in the US market to come from Australian super funds. The works at HMAS Sterling and the ambiguity remaining in the agreement were touched on along with Minister Conroy's upbeat views, his reference to the sovereignty of any Virginia subs we may obtain, and the recent acknowledgement by our government that the future disposal of nuclear reactors had not yet been costed.

After AUKUS we note that Kongsberg and Thales have test fired a missile booster from a Bushmaster vehicle in Norway, demonstrating that the StrikeMaster concept is functional and supporting its consideration for Army's Land 8113 Phase 2 Land Based Maritime Strike program. Currently up against HIMARS and PrSM Increment 2, there's a chance that the ADF could select both platforms which would be quite the development.

We return to the US to note that GA-ASI has been selected to produce the conceptual design for the US Navy's Collaborative Combat Aircraft. It's getting very crowded in the CCA market with Boeing's MQ-28A Ghost Bat, the GA-ASI and Anduril products, a Korean product and even one from Turkey. This will be a very interesting space to watch going forwards.

We wrap with news from ADM's Women In Defence Awards evening, the upcoming ADM 30 Under 30 Awards, our presence at Indo-Pac next week, and the two ADM Women in Defence Network Women's Walks that will occur at the event. We're looking forward to seeing you at Indo-Pac so please do come and say hello.

Links:

AUKUS deal through to the next round

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/aukus-deal-through-to-the-next-round

Kongsberg and Thales fire Naval Strike Missile

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/kongsberg-and-thales-fire-naval-strike-missile

GA-ASI to design CCA for US Navy

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/ga-asi-to-design-cca-for-us-navy

ADM Women in Defence Awards

admwomenindefenceawards.com.au

ADM 30 Under 30 Awards

adm30u30awards.com.au

ADM Women In Defence Network - Women's Walk at Indo-Pac 2025

admwomenindefencenetwork.com.au/event/adm-womens-walk-indopac2025

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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).

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Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

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