DefenceReport

Thawennontie Thomas sat down with Stewart Webb to discuss the challenges of running a Small-Medium Enterprise in Canada’s defence industry. Also discussed being an Indigenous company. Both pondered if the renewed defence push can survive the two years until Trump’s administration ends. It was great to have Thawennontie on the pod.

Tony March, CEO of Babcock Canada, sat down with Stewart Webb on the 2nd day of CANSEC - 28 May 2026. They discussed the government's renewed interest in defence, some of the challenges, and how Babcock Canada is adapting.

President Trump announced a 5,000 troop drawdown in Germany after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made disparaging comments about the US and Iran. But it means more than just a drawdown from Europe, it has repercussions globally - as Stewart and Dr. Chris Murray discuss.

It's been a busy week. Stewart and Chris unpack the history of the Tuareg rebellion since 2011 and offer insight on the direction of where things are going. It was recorded before JNIM announced a blockade of Bamako...once again, but the content is still relevant.

Stewart and Chris sit down to talk about something definitely in Chris' wheelhouse - Bulgaria's recent election, which saw the re-emergence of Rumen Radev. Some see him as a potential Kremlin stooge; however, with Bulgaria on Russia's doorstep and a history of corruption, it is not that simple. Discussed Article: https://defencereport.com/bulgarias-7th-election-no-solution-but-many-concerns/

Stewart and Chris talk about a requested topic: Canadian Defence Procurement. Now, many wanted a show-off discussion between the F-35 and the Gripen, but we wanted to take the opportunity to touch on that competition, but also the submarine acquisition and more.Reports discussed: From the Depths: Getting Victoria Submarine Replacement Right: https://defencereport.com/report-from-the-depths-getting-the-victoria-class-submarine-replacement-right/The Harry DeWolf Class or the AOPS - Titanic Blunder:  https://rideauinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Publications-2013.04-Titanic-Blunder.pdfCanada’s submarine woes- That Sinking Feeling:  https://rideauinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Publications-2013.04-Titanic-Blunder.pdfThe replacement of the Sea Kings to the Cyclone helicopter – The Worst Procurement in the History of Canada: https://rideauinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Publications-2013.02-The-Worst-Procurement-in-the-History-of-Canada.pdf

With news that Péter Magyar took the Hungarian election, Stewart Webb and Chris Murray take a wider perspective on the legacy politicians - Putin, Xi, Erdogan, (forgot about Modi) and how the West is not prepared to deal with the "boomer void" that will be left behind.Article by Dr. David Betz, "Civil War Comes to the West" Military Strategy Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 1, Summer 2023, pages 20-26.

Stewart Webb and Chris Murray take a step back from the Iran War and discuss the broader repercussions for the United States and its European and NATO allies.NATO Defence Against Terrorism Articles mentioned:Chris Murray. “The Enemy of My Enemy: Strategies aimed at co-opting irregular forces,” NATO Centre of Excellence Defence Against Terrorism Review, 11(1), 2019: 63-82.Stewart Webb. “Improvements Required for Operational and Tactical Intelligence Sharing in NATO,” NATO Centre of Excellence Defence Against Terrorism Review, 6(1), Spring/Fall 2014: 47-62.