In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Emeritus Professor of Complex Systems Science at the Australian National University Roger Bradbury joins host Liam Garman, editor defence and security at Momentum Media, to discuss how technological innovation could make submarines obsolete.
In the podcast, Professor Bradbury analyses the changing technologies of war. He explains that submarines possess core advantages (or “tricks”) including stealth that make them lethal in times of conflict. However, such tricks are likely to be overcome by new and emerging submarine detection technology.
The pair then discuss Professor Bradbury’s multidisciplinary report, Transparent Oceans? The Coming SSBN Counter-Detection Task May Be Insuperable, which found that such submarine detection capabilities would reduce the military advantages provided by submarines by the 2050s.
Throughout the podcast, Professor Bradbury draws upon historical, scientific and military analyses to support the report’s findings.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team
Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:
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
Episode 516: CONTESTED GROUND: What’s in store for 2025?
Episode 515: PODCAST: Building a robust, fit for purpose ADF, with Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh MP
Episode 514: CONTESTED GROUND: What Trump’s Panama Canal comments mean for maritime law
Episode 513: SPOTLIGHT: How AIR 6500 will defend Australia’s shores, with Lockheed Martin Australia’s Liam Catterson