In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, program director of Rolls-Royce Australia Services Rob Madders joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss the company’s bid in the SEA 5000 proposal and its partnership with Australian industrial engineering firm Marand. Supporting this partnership, Madders talks about how Rolls-Royce has been building its supply chain within Australia, unpacks the government’s role in influencing such decisions, and shares what is involved in a business becoming affiliated with the Rolls-Royce brand.

Madders also discusses the history of Rolls-Royce within defence industry and share how its benchmark work with the Type 23 frigate will impact its plans going forward with the Type 26 frigate should their bid be successful, the changes in the Australian defence industry over the past two decades, and shares his thoughts on Australia as a shipbuilding hub.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 526: PODCAST: Getting our naval force structure right, with Jennifer Parker
Episode 525: CONTESTED GROUND: The expanding world of state-sponsored cyber warfare
Episode 524: SPOTLIGHT: Training – key to the National Defence Strategy, with CAE’s James Digges
Episode 523: PODCAST: Unpacking the impacts of a disruptive new US Defense secretary
Episode 522: PODCAST: Threats, theatre and tariffs in Trump’s world, with the Defence Connect team
Episode 521: CONTESTED GROUND: Regaining the qualitative advantage
Episode 520: CONTESTED GROUND: What’s in store for 2025? Part 2
Episode 519: PODCAST: Boosting women’s involvement in defence industry, with Rachel Falzon, Women in Defence Association
Episode 518: SPOTLIGHT: Delivering a sovereign small arms and load carriage capability, with Aquaterro’s Graeme Bulte
Episode 517: PODCAST: Royal Australian Navy minehunters’ new purpose after service, with Frank van der Linde