In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Steve Roughsedge, Toll Group’s Senior Vice President of Theatre Supply Chain at Toll Group, about the Defence Theatre Logistics contract they’ve been awarded by the ADF.

We begin our discussion by getting an overview of Toll Group as a logistics provider, Steve’s career to date, how Toll Group is involved with the Defence Theatre Logistics Contract, and their current involvement in Australia with capabilities to extend internationally. We review how its extensive background in working with Defence has assisted in winning the contract, how the commercial logistics network provides improved resilience to military logistics particularly in the Indo-Pacific, and how it has continued to meet the Defence clearance requirements.

We wrap up by seeing how Toll Group is looking to expand its capabilities as a 3rd party logistics contractor to international parties.

Links:

Toll Group

www.tollgroup.com

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We open the episode by discussing the recent news from the meeting between Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese where AUKUS was not cancelled but the focus seemed to be on the critical minerals deal and the significant investment in the US market to come from Australian super funds. The works at HMAS Sterling and the ambiguity remaining in the agreement were touched on along with Minister Conroy's upbeat views, his reference to the sovereignty of any Virginia subs we may obtain, and the recent acknowledgement by our government that the future disposal of nuclear reactors had not yet been costed.

After AUKUS we note that Kongsberg and Thales have test fired a missile booster from a Bushmaster vehicle in Norway, demonstrating that the StrikeMaster concept is functional and supporting its consideration for Army's Land 8113 Phase 2 Land Based Maritime Strike program. Currently up against HIMARS and PrSM Increment 2, there's a chance that the ADF could select both platforms which would be quite the development.

We return to the US to note that GA-ASI has been selected to produce the conceptual design for the US Navy's Collaborative Combat Aircraft. It's getting very crowded in the CCA market with Boeing's MQ-28A Ghost Bat, the GA-ASI and Anduril products, a Korean product and even one from Turkey. This will be a very interesting space to watch going forwards.

We wrap with news from ADM's Women In Defence Awards evening, the upcoming ADM 30 Under 30 Awards, our presence at Indo-Pac next week, and the two ADM Women in Defence Network Women's Walks that will occur at the event. We're looking forward to seeing you at Indo-Pac so please do come and say hello.

Links:

AUKUS deal through to the next round

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/aukus-deal-through-to-the-next-round

Kongsberg and Thales fire Naval Strike Missile

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/kongsberg-and-thales-fire-naval-strike-missile

GA-ASI to design CCA for US Navy

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/ga-asi-to-design-cca-for-us-navy

ADM Women in Defence Awards

admwomenindefenceawards.com.au

ADM 30 Under 30 Awards

adm30u30awards.com.au

ADM Women In Defence Network - Women's Walk at Indo-Pac 2025

admwomenindefencenetwork.com.au/event/adm-womens-walk-indopac2025

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest...

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We start with a review of the International Astronomical Congress that Kirra attended during the week, including Australia signing agreements with the USA and seeking to get more engagement with the European Space Agency. It was noted that if Australia is in Eurovision, perhaps being in the ESA isn't such a stretch, especially given the launch sites Australia has to offer for both equatorial and polar orbits.

We then move on to notification that Australia has requested approval from the USA to potentially purcase another 48 HIMARS vehicles in addition to those we have already order. This is likely to ensure that, if Lockheed Martin and HIMARS are selected for Land 8113 Phase 2 (Land Based Maritime Strike) there won't be any concerns from the USA. The other contender for Phase 2 is Thales Australia with Kongsberg Defence Australia with their StrikeMaster offering (a Bushmaster with Naval Strike Missile launchers). We also discuss how the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) offers improved targeting in GPS denied and contested areas once Increment 2 becomes available, plus how HIMARS plus PrSM could help provide Australia with control over shipping in the straits to our North.

Next up is a discussion of the pending AUKUS Review from the USA along with the many sources saying that the Virginia submarines for Australia could be delayed (or even cancelled), how more money may be requested from Australia, or that maybe SSN AUKUS gets an accelerated timeline. We also note that AUKUS is currently more favoured towards the US & UK given the US$3bn we're sending each of them, plus the infrastructure development we're establishing to support Submarine Rotational Force - West. Will our US$3bn payments count towards the 3.5% of GDP target?

We wrap by noting that the Women in Defence Awards night is approaching and that submissions for the 30 Under 30 awards have closed. There's lots going on and plenty to keep us busy with bringing you the important news in Defence and industry.

Links:

Australia and US sign aeronautical agreement

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/australia-and-us-sign-aeronautical-agreement

Astroscale seeks Australian foothold

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/astroscale-seeks-australian-foothold

Australian space institute launches at IAC 2025

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/australian-space-institute-launches-at-iac-2025

Australia buys M142 HIMARS (GWEO starting to walk faster?)

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/australia-buys-m142-himars

ADM Women in Defence Awards

admwomenindefenceawards.com.au

ADM 30 Under 30 Awards

adm30u30awards.com.au

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department...