Defence Estate Audit, Afghanistan aid and unrest in the United States

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper is joined by Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro to unpack recent news of Australian industry developments, humanitarian assistance, US domestic unrest and the shifting foundations of global power.

The discussion opens with Australian defence industry news, including Ferra Engineering's latest agreement with Boeing to support delivery of the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability for the P-8A Poseidon fleet, reinforcing Australia's role within global defence supply chains.

Attention then turns to EOS Defence Systems and its evolving international strategy amid concerns over limited domestic support for counter-uncrewed aerial system capabilities, with analysis of the company's growing footprint in Europe and the Middle East through a new partnership with Milrem Robotics.

The team also examines the Defence Estate audit, which has confirmed the partial or full divestment of 68 defence sites nationwide. Key locations discussed include Victoria Barracks in Sydney, HMAS Penguin, RAAF Base Williams at Laverton, and several sites across Western Australia and South Australia, alongside debate over reinvestment priorities and future force structure.

The panel weighs in too on Australia's announcement of an additional $50 million in aid to Afghanistan, bringing total assistance since 2021 to $310 million.

The conversation then shifts to the United States, where recent unrest linked to immigration enforcement has reignited debate around the Insurrection Act, martial law and the limits of federal authority. The team unpacks constitutional constraints, historical usage, media freedom concerns and the potential political ramifications ahead of upcoming US elections.

The episode concludes with a broader strategic discussion on what it means to be a "serious middle power" in an era of intensifying competition. The panel questions whether Australia's economic resilience, industrial base, military capability and capacity for power projection are sufficient to sustain its self-image, particularly as the rules-based global order continues to erode.

Enjoy the podcast The Defence Connect team