US ambassador shift, Abrams evolution and rupture of the global order

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, the entire team of Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro examines current news surrounding Australia's changing strategic environment: from diplomacy and armoured warfare to intelligence capability to the future of the rules-based global order.

• The episode opens with the appointment of Greg Moriarty as Australia's next ambassador to the United States. The former defence secretary has drawn broad bipartisan support, while opinions differ on the impact of outgoing Australian ambassador to US and former prime minister Kevin Rudd.
• Attention then turns to the unveiling of the M1E3 Abrams prototype, signalling the US Army's next step in main battle tank evolution and a definitive link to the Australian defence industry.
• The discussion shifts to the recent speech from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has publicly questioned the very existence of a post-war rules-based order.
• The team also deliberates on the demographic and economic trends rapidly shifting influence towards populous regional states such as Indonesia and India, raising the prospect that Australia may soon face strategic pressure from neighbours it once viewed as junior partners.
• Next, UK's launch of a fast-tracked undergraduate degree in drone engineering is highlighted as a response to lessons from Ukraine, while the team questions whether Australia risks falling behind.
• The episode concludes with final confirmation that the Royal Australian Air Force has received its first MC-55A Peregrine intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft.

Enjoy the podcast The Defence Connect team