Defence export ambitions, drone technology and defence manufacturing hubs

Questions remain around how Australia can grow sovereign capability while responding to evolving strategic challenges. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro discuss a busy week across defence and industry, including Australia's record $2.5 billion defence export deal with Canada and what it means for future international partnerships. The discussion explores changing geopolitical dynamics, Arctic security and how middle powers are reshaping defence and economic relationships. Attention then turns to emerging drone opportunities, including Ukrainian manufacturers expanding into Australia and DroneShield's push into European counter-drone markets. The team also examines Western Australia's ambition to establish new defence manufacturing hubs and discusses Electro Optic Systems' latest counter-drone export successes and the challenges of building sovereign industrial capability. Rounding out the episode, the panel looks ahead to LAND Forces 2026 and the technologies expected to shape the future of Army modernisation. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team