🎙️ Is Australia’s Defence Capability Strong — or Structurally Vulnerable?

Australia talks constantly about defence capability.

But if we can’t build, sustain, and properly crew our own force structure — are we truly sovereign?
In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Mel Pikos from Talking Tactics about the real state of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the country’s defence industry base.
This is not a procurement discussion.

It’s a sovereignty discussion.

Show Notes:

Guest: Mel Pikos (Talking Tactics) Host: Dr John Bruni

Australia talks constantly about defence capability — new platforms, AUKUS, procurement announcements.

But are we building sovereign capacity — or managing structural dependence?

In this episode, Dr John Bruni speaks with Mel Pikos from Talking Tactics about the real state of the ADF and Australia’s defence industry base.

We examine:

• Is defence industry effectively a “fourth arm” of the ADF? • Are Australian SMEs central to innovation — or sidelined by foreign primes? • Does supply chain dependence create strategic vulnerability? • Is recruitment weakness creating hollow force risk across Navy, Army and Air Force? 

• Can capability be strengthened without introducing national service?
This conversation moves beyond procurement headlines to the deeper issue of national resilience.
Sovereignty isn’t announced. It’s built.


You can watch Mel’s excellent podcast Talking Tactics here:

https://www.youtube.com/@MelPikos

 

 

🎙️ Is Australia&rsquo;s Defence Capability Strong &mdash; or Structurally Vulnerable?
Australia talks constantly about defence capability.
But if we can&rsquo;t build, sustain, and properly crew our own force structure &mdash; are we truly sovereign? In this episode of The Focus, Dr John Bruni speaks with Mel Pikos from Talking Tactics about the real state of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the country&rsquo;s defence industry base. This is not a procurement discussion.
It&rsquo;s a sovereignty discussion.
Show Notes:
Guest: Mel Pikos (Talking Tactics) Host: Dr John Bruni
Australia talks constantly about defence capability &mdash; new platforms, AUKUS, procurement announcements.
But are we building sovereign capacity &mdash; or managing structural dependence?
In this episode, Dr John Bruni speaks with Mel Pikos from Talking Tactics about the real state of the ADF and Australia&rsquo;s defence industry base.
We examine:
&bull; Is defence industry effectively a &ldquo;fourth arm&rdquo; of the ADF? &bull; Are Australian SMEs central to innovation &mdash; or sidelined by foreign primes? &bull; Does supply chain dependence create strategic vulnerability? &bull; Is recruitment weakness creating hollow force risk across Navy, Army and Air Force? 
&bull; Can capability be strengthened without introducing national service? This conversation moves beyond procurement headlines to the deeper issue of national resilience. Sovereignty isn&rsquo;t announced. It&rsquo;s built.
 You can watch Mel&rsquo;s excellent podcast Talking Tactics here:
https://www.youtube.com/@MelPikos
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical  think tank.

Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.

Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

The Focus&nbsp;is the flagship current affairs podcast of&nbsp;SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical &nbsp;think tank.
Hosted by&nbsp;Dr. John Bruni&mdash;a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media&mdash;The Focus&nbsp;brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the&nbsp;Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for&nbsp;Jane&rsquo;s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by&nbsp;Neil Smart,&nbsp;The Focus&nbsp;cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.