The skies are changing and so is the future of national security.
This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Ben Westgarth, CEO and CTO of Department13, for a fascinating and timely conversation about drone technology, counter-drone systems, and what it really takes to protect Australia in an increasingly complex world.
Ben pulls back the curtain on how counter-drone systems actually work, why the ability to develop and adapt rapidly is now a strategic necessity, and what Australia's current defence capabilities look like and where they need to go. From the technology shaping modern warfare to the broader question of national resilience, this is an Exchange that connects cutting-edge innovation with the very real stakes of keeping a nation safe.
To find out more about Ben click here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-westgarth-1992a618/
Website: https://department13.com/
To find out more about Evan click here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanlucas_/
Website: www.evanlucas.com.au
Chapters
00:00 The Journey into Drone Technology
01:56 Australia's Tech Landscape and Support
04:17 Department 13: Technology Overview
05:47 Future Resilience and Drone Evolution
09:40 Drones in Society: Opportunities and Risks
11:24 Illegal Drone Flights and Public Awareness
13:21 Government Spending and Infrastructure Needs
15:20 Learning from Cybersecurity Regulations
18:24 Subscription Model for Drone Monitoring
22:27 Public Misunderstandings of Drone Technology
25:57 AUKUS and Defense Spending Perspectives
30:55 The Limitations of Drone Jamming
34:26 Vision for Australia's Sovereign Capability
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