The Shephard Defence Podcast

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions

‘Speed is the key advantage and accuracy is the key outcome’: Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions’ Rick Freeman talks to Shephard’s Georgia Lewis about how space-as-a-service is transforming defence connectivity and access to satellite capabilities.

As militaries seek faster, more accurate decision-making across increasingly complex battlespaces, sat...

Brought to you in partnership with Rafael

Loitering munitions provide vital capabilities in the disrupted and unpredictable modern battlespace, from real-time ISR to a virtually “on demand” strike capability. Rafael is looking to the future of the technology, empowering systems to operate with increasing autonomy in hostile environments.

Military conflict today is increasingly defined by large numbers of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV...

In this episode of Designed for Advantage, host Tony Skinner speaks with Rafael’s VP of business development and marketing, Gideon Weiss, and Commander ‘K’, a naval surface warfare and air defence expert, about how navies are adapting to an era of bold, asymmetric threats at sea.

From swarming drones in the Red Sea to precision missile strikes in the Black Sea, the maritime threat landscape is shifting fast. 

The discussion explores:

Long-range precision strike is fast becoming a cornerstone of modern military capability. As threats grow in complexity and coverage - from A2/AD environments to dispersed high-value targets - armed forces must respond with scalable, GPS-independent systems capable of delivering fast, coordinated effects.

In this second episode of our special series with Rafael, we explore the evolving demands of precision strike. Rafael V...

In this special edition of the Shephard Defence Podcast, brought to you in partnership with Aeronautics Group, Tony Skinner sits down with Dan Slasky, President and CEO of Aeronautics, to explore how cutting-edge tactical unmanned aerial systems are reshaping today’s battlefields.

From the Orbiter 5 to innovations in loitering munitions and VTOL platforms, the conversation dives into how Aeronautics is building battlefield-ready sol...

High-energy laser (HEL) systems are emerging as a pivotal layer in modern air defence strategies. As threats grow more agile, diverse and frequent – from swarming UAVs to short-range rockets – militaries are increasingly turning to cost-effective, sustainable methods of interception. 

HEL technology now offers high-capacity, low-cost engagement options that enhance traditional defences and reduce dependence on finite missi...

In this episode of Defence Insight Briefs, Senior Naval Analyst Giovani Rasio discusses all things naval. With Europe rearming, where is the money being spent and how are current affairs changing the calculus for NATO? 

IMDEX Asia is right around the corner. Do you want the best industry information for you and your team? Listen to the full podcast and be sure to visit Shephard's Defence Insight to view equipment entries on all...

In this episode of Defence Insight Briefs, Senior Land Analyst Sam Hart dives into the Middle East market on the first day of IDEX. With a mix of aligned and non-aligned countries, competitors and new technologies, IDEX is poised to dominate industry conversation at a time of regional change. 

Sam discusses who we will see, what they will be exhibiting and how the changing face of global conflict will be represented at the show. Who...

In this episode of Defence Insight Briefs, Senior UAV Analyst Matty Todhunter examines the rapidly evolving global drone market. From the battlefield roles of loyal wingman UAVs to NATO procurement strategies, we explore how drones are transforming modern warfare.

Matty discusses how the Ukraine conflict has turbocharged drone development and procurement, with global UAV spending expected to reach $8.2 billion in 2025. Key topics in...

Euronaval Paris is a significant trade show in the naval market calendar. An evolving threat landscape and increasing government funding are driving investment into new technologies. The naval market hasn't been so relevant in many decades. 

In this episode, Giovanni Rasio Senior Naval Analyst at Shephard Group's Defence Insight details his findings from the Euronaval show. Submarines, UUVs and strike capabilitie...

The market for uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) is rapidly evolving, with profound implications for future military operations. As we look to the coming decade, the potential for these autonomous platforms to redefine the battlefield is immense. UGVs are not merely another tool in the kit of modern warfare – they represent a shift in how conflicts will be fought and how human life will be preserved on the frontlines.

Sam Ha...

This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, we explore the evolution of military simulation and training technologies, including advancements in cloud computing, networked training, and the increasing use of simulation in response to changing military demands.

Jeff Tasseron, director of strategic growth for CAE, talks to Dr Alix Valenti about how new simulation and training technologies are impacting the defence sector.

With so much criticism of UK defence procurement, it can be hard to know what's fact and what is hyperbole. Shephard sat down with Professor John Louth, formerly of RUSI, and co-author of a new paper on defence procurement to get his take on the state of the way the UK buys its kit.

Each month on the Shephard Defence Podcast, our team of international journalists and analysts take deep dives into defence issues, focus...

This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat about the big news stories from IDEX in Abu Dhabi.

Each month on the Shephard Defence Podcast, our team of international journalists and analysts take deep dives into defence issues, focusing on niche market sectors and looking at where the trends are heading.

We also feat...

We recently released a multimedia project in partnership with Fujitsu Defence and National Security, focusing on digital readiness and cognitive advantage.   

In this bonus podcast episode, we hear from two industry experts as they guide us through the complex landscape of the future battlespace. 

We speak with Neil Dove, Vice President of Fujitsu Defence and National security in the UK, and Andy Laidler, chief d...

Shephard's editorial team - senior naval reporter Harry Lye, military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann and Asia Pacific editor Gordon Arthur - nominate the most remarkable defence stories of 2022.

To learn more, see the team's online overview of the five most significant news across the air, land, naval, uncrewed, training and defence notes of our website. 

Each month on the Shephard De...

Professor Colin Williams, an expert in the history of cybernetics, explores the birth of the machine, its infancy in modern society and path towards maturation.

Prof Williams is an honorary visiting professor at the Cyber Technology Institute at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), an honorary Fellow at the Cyber Security Centre at the University of Warwick, and a PhD researcher at the University of Oxford researching the early h...

This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat about the big news stories from I/ITSEC,  the world's largest modeling, simulation and training event.

Harry is also joined by Chris Lade, Defence Sales Manager at Saab Sea Eye, about the trends and challenges of seabed warfare.

Each month on the Shephard Defence Podc...

Innovation is a crucial topic in national security circles. For organisations to seize the advantage, it is vital to approach innovation not simply as a technological phenomenon but as a cultural and organisational priority.

Part of the challenge is interpreting current advances and determining the future impact they will have in terms of both technology and organisational culture.

August Cole is an author and fu...