In this very special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Mark Donaldson VC — now a strategic advisor for Microsoft — and Daniel Keighran VC, key account manager joint capability at Thales Australia and New Zealand, join host Phil Tarrant to discuss equipping Australia’s future warfighter.
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- The two Victoria Cross recipients discuss the importance of providing Australia’s servicemen and women with the latest equipment to achieve battlefield outcomes, including:
a. Cognitive decision-making tools;b. Translation capabilities on battlefield radios;c. High-value target intelligence and identification equipment;d. Section level information sharing capabilities; ande. Digitising equipment to streamline maintenance and sustainment.
- Mark Donaldson VC and Daniel Keighran VC then unpack their recent business ventures at Microsoft and Thales, including the Nexium Defence Cloud and the digital battle rifle, and how technology will enable warfighters to make quicker, smarter and more effective decisions on the battlefield.
- The podcast wraps up with an analysis of the war in Ukraine to assess the future of multi-domain conflict.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team
Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:
Episode 510: CONTESTED GROUND: Iran’s collapsing sphere of influence
Episode 509: DEFENCE PROPERTY PODCAST: Understanding the ever-changing landscape of regional property investment
Episode 508: PODCAST: A proud history of providing debate and connecting sailors, with Mark Schweikert, federal president, Navy League of Australia
Episode 507: SPOTLIGHT: GWEO – protecting Australian sovereignty, with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control’s James Heading
Episode 506: CONTESTED GROUND: Ukraine’s freedom of manoeuvre in the information domain
Episode 505: SPOTLIGHT: AUKUS Pillar II – how technology sharing is strengthening our national security, with FAS Stephen Moore and Dr Nigel McGinty
Episode 504: PODCAST: Unleashing Australian know-how to grow military power fast, with John Storey, Institute of Public Affairs
Episode 503: CONTESTED GROUND: The intersection of national security and Australia’s declining economic performance
Episode 502: SPOTLIGHT: Developing risk frameworks for Defence, with Atturra’s Andrew Balmaks
Episode 501: CONTESTED GROUND: Maritime competition drives need for an Australian Coast Guard, with Jennifer Parker