

Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage
Council on Geostrategy
Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage is a podcast presented by the Council on Geostrategy in partnership with trade association ADS Group, and sponsored by industry powerhouse BAE Systems.
This podcast explores the key themes in British defence in the context of an increasingly contested international security environment. It will consider how the UK can shape the international agenda, focusing on how technology, innovation, skills, and defence strategies help to advance Britain’s interests, as well as those of its key allies and partners. www.britainsworld.org.uk
This podcast explores the key themes in British defence in the context of an increasingly contested international security environment. It will consider how the UK can shape the international agenda, focusing on how technology, innovation, skills, and defence strategies help to advance Britain’s interests, as well as those of its key allies and partners. www.britainsworld.org.uk
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 5, 2025 • 40min
Driving defence innovation – A UK-wide endeavour
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 6, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Associate Fellow, are joined by Lt. Col. Dan Sawyers, Head of the jHub, UK Strategic Command, and Robert Merryweather, Group Technology Director, BAE Systems.Viktorija, Paul, Dan and Rob explore innovation through the stark challenges facing the sector, the key lessons from Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the boldest innovations set to shape the future of defence.Find Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Radio Public, Soundcloud, Pocketcast and Overcast.You can find out more about Defence Talks here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Apr 3, 2025 • 47min
Perceptions of defence in a changed world
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 5, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Associate Fellow, are joined by Iain Martin, Director, London Defence Conference, and Dr Hillary Briffa, Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies, King’s College London.Viktorija, Paul, Iain and Hillary explore key recent developments in the UK defence sector, broader societal engagement on defence issues, and the upcoming London Defence Conference.Find Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Radio Public, Soundcloud, Pocketcast and Overcast.You can find out more about Defence Talks here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Feb 19, 2025 • 49min
The UK and Europe: Prepared for strategic confrontation?
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 4, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy, is joined by Gen. (Rtd.) Philippe Lavigne, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (2021 - 2024), and Prof. Sir Hew Strachan, Professor of International Relations, University of St Andrews.Viktorija, Gen. (Rtd.) Lavigne, and Sir Hew explore how Britain, and its allies and partners, can improve their readiness for a prolonged period of strategic confrontation including bolstering defence industrial capacity, enhancing societal resilience, and improving our political base. Find Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Radio Public, Soundcloud, Pocketcast and Overcast.You can find out more about Defence Talks here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Feb 5, 2025 • 47min
The CRINK and systemic competition
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 3, hosts Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy, and Paul Mason, journalist and author, are joined by Prof. Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King’s College London, and James Rogers, Co-founder (Research), Council on Geostrategy.Viktorija, Paul, Sir Lawrence and James explore the growing alignment between the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, and discuss how Britain, and its allies and partners, should respond.Find Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Radio Public, Soundcloud, Pocketcast and Overcast.You can find out more about Defence Talks here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Jan 23, 2025 • 48min
The Industrial Strategy for defence, growth and deterrence in 2025
Welcome to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 2, hosts Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy, and Paul Mason, journalist and author, are joined by Nathan Mathiot, Head of Policy, ADS Group.Viktorija, Paul, and Nathan explore the implications of the Industrial Strategy and the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy on the defence and deterrence capability of the UK.Find Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Radio Public, Soundcloud, Pocketcast and Overcast.You can find out more about Defence Talks here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Dec 4, 2024 • 39min
NATO and the future of European security
Welcome to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In this episode, hosts Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy, and Paul Mason, journalist and author, are joined by Angus Lapsley, Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Viktorija, Paul and Angus explore the changing geopolitical environment in Europe, NATO’s approach to defence planning, procurement, and industry, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the alliance now, and in the long-term future.Find Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Radio Public, Soundcloud, Pocketcast and Overcast.You can find out more about Defence Talks here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Jul 29, 2024 • 39min
NATO in 2024: After the Washington Summit
In July 2024, NATO members and partners came together in Washington DC to reaffirm its support for Ukraine and the importance of the alliance in the face of growing aggression. Joined by David Quarrey CMG, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to NATO, and Sir Stuart Atha, Head of the UK delegation to the NATO Industry Advisory Group, we discuss their experiences at the recent summit and the challenges that lie ahead for the alliance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Jul 22, 2024 • 30min
Farnborough International Airshow: Convening the Conversations that Matter
Every two years, advanced manufacturing industries are invited to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre for the Airshow. Joined by Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS Group and Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, we explore how Farnborough International Airshow brings together these industries, convening the conversations that matter. We investigate how far the Airshow, now on the 75th edition, has come and what it means for the future of these industries. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Jul 18, 2024 • 40min
Cyber: Understanding the threats to national security
Cyber threats come in different forms, from low-level threats such as website defacement, to high-level threats to critical national infrastructure and military technologies. Joined by Adrian Nish, Head of Cyber Portfolio at BAE Digital Intelligence, and Alistair Leuchars, Head of Cyber and Digital Engagement at ADS Group, we discuss the cyber threats facing the United Kingdom in 2024, where they come from, and how to address them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk

Jul 4, 2024 • 39min
AUKUS: The long-term implications
In this episode, we discuss the long-term implications of the AUKUS security partnership for the national security and defence industrial base of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Joined by The Hon. Stephen Smith, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and Jeff Lewis, Vice President of Defence, ADS Group, we explore what AUKUS is, the impact it has on the three member nations, and what it could mean for the future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.britainsworld.org.uk


