In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Simon Olsen, chief executive officer and co-founder of Arkeus autonomous optical systems, to discuss the changing world of drone warfare and what Australia is trying to achieve in the uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) strategic space.

Olsen, the commercial-savvy CEO of Arkeus, has more than a decade of experience working with autonomous optical systems and the overall defence industry.

Drawing on experience working with the Australian Defence Force, US branches and other international militaries, Olsen starts the podcast with the origins of weaponised drones from their use of optical cameras in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The pair examine the strengths and weaknesses of UAV systems, as well as their use in denied environments and electronic warfare-impacted areas.

Exploring the cost-to-benefit ratio of current drones in Ukraine, Garman and Olsen discuss drones using off-the-shelf technology and their persistent use in military operations.

Olsen shares his experience of working with front-line personnel and its impact on successive contracts with the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.

Finally, Olsen reveals the company’s goals for the future, AUKUS and his thoughts on upcoming events shaping the overall defence industry in Australia.

Enjoy the episode,
The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft are joined by Australian Aviation’s Jake Nelson to talk about the Qantas data breach before our usual suspects talk up the latest AI news, followed by some alarming local hacks.

• AI is the topic for Hollingworth and Croft as the pair start with a chat about News Corp’s new drive to integrate AI into journalists’ workflows and the media giant’s decision to train AI on the content produced by its writers. Plus, US Senator Bernie Sanders has a fantastic idea about what to do with all the time saved by AI – give it back to the workers!
• The pair then discuss a pair of successful investigations that have led to the hackers being arrested – one in France that appears to have put the final nail into BreachForums’ coffin as both ShinyHunters and IntelBroker are now behind bars, and another here in Australia, as the infamous Western Sydney University hacker was revealed to be an ex-student. Now arrested herself, she started out looking to cheat the university’s parking fees, but quickly went straight to the dark side.
• Hollingworth and Croft finish up with some updates on the Australian government’s social media age assurance trials and whether or not YouTube should be part of the ban, and return to an old friend, War Thunder, as another angry gamer has posted restricted material to prove a point.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Michael Shoebridge, Strategic Analysis Australia director, to unpack the debate about Australia’s level of defence spending and a host of other topics.

The pair discuss a range of issues, including:

• Responding to calls for Australia to shake off the “shackles” of the Australia–US alliance to pursue a truly “independent” foreign and defence policy and posture.
• The costs and challenges associated with pursuing such a doctrine, particularly when the government is already balking at lifting spending beyond 2 per cent.
• The ongoing challenges facing the Australian Defence Force and its capacity to acquire the minimum level of capability required to defend the nation.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft talk about good and bad AI use cases, dramatic hacker arrests in Australia and France, printer vulnerabilities, and why War Thunder is a national security risk.

• AI is the topic for Hollingworth and Croft as the pair start with a chat about News Corp’s new drive to integrate AI into journalists’ workflows and the media giant’s decision to train AI on the content produced by its writers. Plus, US Senator Bernie Sanders has a fantastic idea about what to do with all the time saved by AI – give it back to the workers!
• The pair then discuss a pair of successful investigations that have led to the hackers being arrested – one in France that appears to have put the final nail into BreachForums’ coffin as both ShinyHunters and IntelBroker are now behind bars, and another here in Australia, as the infamous Western Sydney University hacker was revealed to be an ex-student. Now arrested herself, she started out looking to cheat the university’s parking fees, but quickly went straight to the dark side.
• Hollingworth and Croft finish up with some updates on the Australian government’s social media age assurance trials and whether or not YouTube should be part of the ban, and return to an old friend, War Thunder, as another angry gamer has posted restricted material to prove a point.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Victoria Cross recipient Mark Donaldson joins host Kane Dury to explore the parallels between service life and strategic property investment – and why calculated risk-taking is second nature for Australian Defence Force personnel.

Donaldson shares how his military mindset, forged in some of the most demanding operational environments, has shaped his approach to wealth building. While many ADF members may feel disconnected from the property market due to constant relocations or limited financial background, Donaldson’s story demonstrates how tactical thinking, resilience, and seeking expert support can unlock powerful long-term gains.

The discussion covers lessons learnt from missed opportunities and how military discipline can be transferred to investment planning. Donaldson opens up about how buyer’s agents, defence housing benefits like Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme and Home Purchase Assistance Scheme, and trust structures can play a critical role in accelerating portfolio growth.

The episode also offers practical advice for young service members: start early, stay disciplined, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. With the right mindset, property investment becomes not just achievable, but a potent vehicle for securing financial independence after service.

For lessons in property investment from one of Australia’s most decorated veterans, listen to Mark Donaldson’s story below.

Want more tactical insights into building wealth while serving? Catch our previous episode on how relocations can become property opportunities here.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Douglas Abdiel, think tank author, Marine Corps officer and now global vice president - defence at Advanced Navigation, to explore how assured PNT is shaping the future of autonomous capability across land, sea, and air.

The discussion begins by unpacking the meaning of assured position, navigation, and timing in a contested environment, and why it has emerged as a strategic priority for modern armed forces in an era of GPS-denied operations.

Abdiel shares how his military background has uniquely positioned him to understand and respond to the evolving demands of the battlespace, and how that insight is helping Advanced Navigation redefine resilience at the tactical edge.

The pair then deep dive into Advanced Navigation’s proprietary AI-powered deterministic fusion models – capable of achieving up to 10x greater accuracy – and the operational advantages they offer for defence primes and front-line users alike.

Abdiel provides insights into the company’s successful integration efforts with leading defence primes and how their approach is tailored for mission-critical scenarios.

Finally, they examine how a veteran-led team gives Advanced Navigation a critical edge in responding to the unique requirements of military customers, and what’s next for the company’s US expansion strategy.

🎙️ Join us for a conversation at the forefront of Australia’s defence innovation – and catch Douglas Abdiel live at AUSA.

🔗 Join us at AUSA

Enjoy the episode,
The Defence Connect team

Disclaimer:

The views expressed are the speaker's own and do not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, the US Marine Corps, or the U.S. Government. The speaker's participation and appearance in any private or public events, sponsored or otherwise, or references, including external hyperlinks, to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, US Marine Corps, or U.S. Government endorsement of any company or organization.