Straight-talking new defence boss Mark Hammond got his start scrubbing decks as a junior sailor in the Royal Australian Navy - and now faces the huge challenge ahead: getting Australia’s military ready for the new age of asymmetrical warfare focused on drones. Foreign Affairs and Defence Correspondent Ben Packham is here.

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This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.