ADF promotions, Middle East aftershocks and dreaded Defence budget cuts

Can Australia balance the cost of expanding its drone-based attack and defence capabilities on a shoestring budget? Industry is rightly worried about possible cost cuts. In an editorial discussion for this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro take a run at a burgeoning week of news across Australia's defence landscape and how international conflict in the Middle East is rippling outwards to pressure fuel supplies Down Under. The team also examines the recent promotion of Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN to become the next chief of the Defence Force and the appointment of Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM CSC DSM as the next chief of the Australian Army, the first woman to hold the position. The conversation then explores the newly signed Major Defense Cooperation Partnership agreement and joint special forces training between hardline governments in the US and Indonesia. Turning to defence industry, the panel puts a speculative spotlight on dreaded Defence budget cuts and reallocations under the release of the new National Defence Strategy. Finally, the team tackles new ship manufacturing updates in Sydney around the Royal Australian Navy's Hunter Class frigate program. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

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ADF promotions, Middle East aftershocks and dreaded Defence budget cuts is an episode from Defence Connect Podcast Network by Defence Connect.

This episode is 29:13 long.

This episode was published on Apr 16, 2026.

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