Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage
Council on Geostrategy 39 episodes Nov 11, 2026
Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage is a podcast from the Council on Geostrategy, produced with ADS Group and sponsored by BAE Systems. It is hosted by Paul Mason and Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė. The series examines major issues in British defence amid a more contested international security environment. Episodes consider how the UK can shape the global agenda through technology, innovation, skills, and defence strategy, and how those efforts support Britain and its allies and partners.
Episodes
Lord Coaker: From Remembrance to national readiness
In this episode, Lord Coaker, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, reflects on the significance of Remembrance and explores how the legacy of those who served can inform the United Kingdom’s (UK) approach to national security today.In conversation with Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-President (Strategy) of the Council on Geostrategy, Lord Coaker shares his personal connection to the D-D
UK Cadets: Building skills and national resilience
In this episode, marking the inaugural National Cadets Week, Brig. Anthony Lamb MBE DL, Head of Youth and Cadets at the Ministry of Defence, and Sqn. Ldr. Kath Lane, Deputy Wing Commander for the Cumbria and Lancashire Wing of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, explore the role of the cadet movement in reconnecting defence with society, supporting young people, and strengthening national resilience.
Inside UK Defence: Preparing for the Future
In this episode, AVM Mark Ridgway DBA, Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Futures and Force Design), explores how UK Defence approaches long term planning, from strategic foresight to force design and capability development.In conversation with Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-President of the Council on Geostrategy, AVM Ridgway draws on Global Strategic Trends out to 2055 and Future Operating
First Sea Lord: Driving the Naval Transformation
With steady-state peacetime patrols officially over and the countdown to full warfighting readiness by 2029 underway, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins – First Sea Lord, Chief of the Naval Staff, and the first Royal Marine in history to lead the Royal Navy – sits down for an exclusive, wide-ranging deep dive on Defence Talks.In conversation with Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė and Paul Mason, the head of the
Information warfare: AI, subversion, and foreign influence
In this episode, we unpack everything you need to know about information warfare, the cognitive battlespace, and how democracies can counter hostile state narratives.Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė is joined by:* Dr Rob Johnson, Director of the Oxford Strategy, Statecraft, and Technology Centre, and former Director, Secretary of State’s Office for Net Assessment and Challenge (SONAC);* Simon Bergman,
Special Episode: Farnborough International Airshow 2026
In this Special Episode, we unpack everything you need to know about the Farnborough International Airshow this week.Viktorija Starych-Samuoliene is joined by:* Kevin Craven, CEO, ADS Group;* Véronique Bardelmann – CEO, SVP Europe; CEI, Safran Group and, ADS Vice President for AerospaceThe conversation unpacks the main themes and aims of the Farnborough International Airshow, the geopolitical cont
NATO Summit 2026: Delivering after Ankara
In Season 3, Episode 3, we unpack everything you need to know about the recent NATO Summit in Ankara.Paul and Viktorija are joined by:* Sir Stuart Atha KBE CB DSO, Director at BAE Systems, Head of the UK NATO Industrial Advisory Group;* Emma Baker, Group Facilitator, UK NIAG Delegation;* Charles Clover, Defence and Security Correspondent, Financial Times.The conversation tackles the primary geostr
Defence Minister: The path to warfighting readiness
How does the UK transition its armed forces to a true warfighting footing? In Season 3, Episode 2, we are joined by Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, to discuss the structural and cultural changes required to rebuild Britain's defence industrial base.The conversation tackles the reality of legacy procurement delays and the push for faster, more adaptable equipment deliv
Defence experts: How skills can futureproof UK security
As global threats escalate and technological innovation outpaces traditional training, the UK defence sector faces a defining strategic challenge: an industry-wide skills shortage.In the Season 3 premiere of Defence Talks, we are joined by:* R. Adm. Rose OBE, Director of People and Training for the Royal Navy;* Dr Mary Haigh, Deputy Global Chief Information Officer and Director Digital Delivery Of
Special episode: The impact of the Iran conflict on UK defence
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’. In this special episode, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Adjunct Fellow, are joined by Baroness Dr Sophy Antrobus MBE, Co-director of the Freeman Air and Space Institute and Member of the House of Lords, and Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor, The Economist. What le
The world in 2026: Challenges, risks and opportunities for the UK
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 15, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Adjunct Fellow, are joined by Prof. Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at the University of Oxford, and James Rogers, our Co-founder (Research).What is the strategic outlook for 2026? We unpack the current ge
Future Combat Air: Countering threats and strengthening deterrence
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 14, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Adjunct Fellow, are joined by Richard Berthon, Director Future Combat Air in the United Kingdom (UK) at the Ministry of Defence, and Herman Claesen, Managing Director, Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems.The discu
Military families: The importance of defence housing and support
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 13, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Adjunct Fellow, are joined by Cat Calder, Housing Specialist at Army Families Federation, and Natalie Elphicke Ross OBE, Chair of the Defence Housing Strategy review team, and Director and Head of Housing at the Housin
Strengthening deterrence: Accelerating innovation across NATO
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’. In Episode 12, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Adjunct Fellow, are joined by Dr Tanya Suárez, CEO and founder of IoT Tribe, and Brigadier (rtd.) John Ridge, Adoption Lead, NATO Innovation Fund.The discussion explore how NATO is accelerating innovation to strengthe
Social value in local communities: The contribution of UK defence
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 11, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Adjunct Fellow, are joined by Alex Baker MP, Member of Parliament for Aldershot and Chair of the Defence and Security Sectors Supporting Local Communities All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).The discussion covers the
Emerging technologies: Transforming the future of defence
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’. In Episode 10, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Adjunct Fellow, are joined by Dr Paul Hollinshead MBA OBE, Chief Executive of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), and Finbar O’Keeffe, Head of Future Software Capability for BAE Systems Maritime and Land
Equipping defence for the future: Acquisition and exports
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’. In Episode 9, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Adjunct Fellow, are joined by Andy Start, acting National Armaments Director and Chief Executive, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and Air Vice Marshal (rtd.) Gary Waterfall, Senior Military Adviser, DSEI UK.Vikto
Financing and investment: Strengthening UK defence and security
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’. In Episode 8, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Associate Fellow, are joined by Rob Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Defence, Security and Resilience (DSR) Bank, and Aimie Stone, Chief Economist, ADS Group.Viktorija, Paul, Rob and Aimie explore financing and investm
The Strategic Defence Review: Implications and implementation
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’. In Episode 7, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Associate Fellow, are joined by Kevin Craven, CEO, ADS Group, and Air Marshal (rtd.) Edward Stringer CB CBE, Director, iJ7, and Senior Fellow, Policy Exchange. Viktorija, Paul, Kevin and Edward explore the Strategic De
Driving defence innovation – A UK-wide endeavour
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 6, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Associate Fellow, are joined by Lt. Col. Dan Sawyers, Head of the jHub, UK Strategic Command, and Robert Merryweather, Group Technology Director, BAE Systems.Viktorija, Paul, Dan and Rob explore innovation through the s
Perceptions of defence in a changed world
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 5, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), and Paul Mason, journalist, author and our Associate Fellow, are joined by Iain Martin, Director, London Defence Conference, and Dr Hillary Briffa, Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies, King’s College London.Viktorija, Paul, Iain and Hillary explore key
The UK and Europe: Prepared for strategic confrontation?
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 4, Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy, is joined by Gen. (Rtd.) Philippe Lavigne, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (2021 - 2024), and Prof. Sir Hew Strachan, Professor of International Relations, University of St Andrews.Viktorija, Gen. (Rtd.) Lavigne, and Sir H
The CRINK and systemic competition
Welcome back to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’. In Episode 3, hosts Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy, and Paul Mason, journalist and author, are joined by Prof. Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King’s College London, and James Rogers, Co-founder (Research), Council on Geostrategy.Viktorija, Paul, Sir Lawrence a
The Industrial Strategy for defence, growth and deterrence in 2025
Welcome to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’.In Episode 2, hosts Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy, and Paul Mason, journalist and author, are joined by Nathan Mathiot, Head of Policy, ADS Group.Viktorija, Paul, and Nathan explore the implications of the Industrial Strategy and the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy on the defence and
NATO and the future of European security
Welcome to Season 2 of ‘Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage’. In this episode, hosts Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, Co-founder (Strategy), Council on Geostrategy, and Paul Mason, journalist and author, are joined by Angus Lapsley, Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Viktorija, Paul and Angus explore the changing geopolitical envir
NATO in 2024: After the Washington Summit
In July 2024, NATO members and partners came together in Washington DC to reaffirm its support for Ukraine and the importance of the alliance in the face of growing aggression. Joined by David Quarrey CMG, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to NATO, and Sir Stuart Atha, Head of the UK delegation to the NATO Industry Advisory Group, we discuss their experiences at the recent summit and
Farnborough International Airshow: Convening the Conversations that Matter
Every two years, advanced manufacturing industries are invited to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre for the Airshow. Joined by Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS Group and Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, we explore how Farnborough International Airshow brings together these industries, convening the conversations that matter. We investigate how far the Airshow, no
Cyber: Understanding the threats to national security
Cyber threats come in different forms, from low-level threats such as website defacement, to high-level threats to critical national infrastructure and military technologies. Joined by Adrian Nish, Head of Cyber Portfolio at BAE Digital Intelligence, and Alistair Leuchars, Head of Cyber and Digital Engagement at ADS Group, we discuss the cyber threats facing the United Kingdom in 2024, where they
AUKUS: The long-term implications
In this episode, we discuss the long-term implications of the AUKUS security partnership for the national security and defence industrial base of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Joined by The Hon. Stephen Smith, Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and Jeff Lewis, Vice President of Defence, ADS Group, we explore what AUKUS is, the impact it has on the three memb
Defence and disruptive technologies: Threats and opportunities
Over the last two decades, nations have needed to counter a dramatic increase in the number and types of threats to their national defence and security. Joined by Rob Merryweather of BAE Systems, James Gavin of Defence Equipment & Support and Robert Fox of the Evening Standard, we explore how disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence and new quantum-based technologies can add t
British defence in 2024: Investing in sovereign capabilities and collaboration
With a general election expected sometime in 2024, we consider what the key policy priorities are for the defence of the United Kingdom and Britain’s defence industry. Joined by Sir Michael Fallon, former Secretary of State for Defence, and Samira Braund, Defence Director at ADS Group, we consider what more Britain could be doing to invest in the domestic defence industry and the importance of int
NATO at 75: Britain’s role in the alliance
Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of NATO, we reflect on the role that the UK has played in the organisation and what this means in the current threat environment. Joined by Lord Robertson, former Secretary General of NATO, and AVM Fin Monahan, Director of DCDC, the independent think tank of the Ministry of Defence, we consider the main challenges facing NATO and how Britain can s
Space: The final frontier
This episode discusses the growing importance of space in the context of defence and consider the strategic role of the UK. Joined by Elizabeth Seward, Head of Space Strategy and Future Business at BAE Systems, and Juliana Suess, Research Analyst and Policy Lead for Space Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), we will examine the current capabilities of the UK and look to where Br
Backing Ukraine: A necessity for Britain
Ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s renewed aggression against Ukraine, we examine the current status of Russia’s war against Ukraine and why ensuring a Ukrainian victory is vital to Britain’s security. Joined by Andy Start, CEO of Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) at the Ministry of Defence and Mark Galeotti, Director of Mayak Intelligence and author of Putin’s Wars, we consider
Securing our future workforce
In this episode we examine critical skills and what this means for employees in defence both now and in the future. We discuss the measures being taken to attract new talent into the UK’s defence sector, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Paul Oxley, Director of Government and Policy at ADS Group is joined by David Robinson, Director of Post-16 and Skil
2023 Defence Talks Highlights
In this special episode, we reflect on the highlights from the first five episodes of Defence Talks: Securing UK Advantage. In 2023 we focused on topics ranging from the ‘refresh’ of the Defence Command Paper to the role of ESG in defence industry and discussed the most important issues facing British defence with guests including The Rt. Hon. James Heappey MP, Minister of State for Armed Forces,
History rhymes: Learning how to secure a military competitive edge
In this episode we are joined by Prof. Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London, and Dr William James, Ax:son Johnson Research Fellow at King’s College London. We explore what it means to have a military competitive edge, how such an edge has displayed itself in history and what we can learn from this. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss
ESG and industry: How collaboration can secure the UK’s advantage in innovation
In this episode, we examine the relationship between ESG investment and the defence sector. Joined by Kevin Craven, the CEO of ADS Group, and Camilla Hughes, former ESG lead at Rothschild & Co Global Advisory, we consider whether defence can really be aligned with ESG objectives and how we can make sure the sector does not lose out on the investment that is crucial for securing the UK’s securi
Our country needs you: The relationship between UK society and the Armed Forces
In our third episode, we explore the relationship between UK society and the Armed Forces. Joined by The Rt. Hon. James Heappey MP, Minister of State for Armed Forces, and Howard Mustoe, Industry Editor at The Telegraph, we shed light on changing perceptions, implications for national security and the impact on the families of those who serve. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss
Greater diversity in the defence community: Opportunities and challenges
In our latest episode, we examine the challenges and opportunities in the military community’s drive to become more representative and inclusive, including a discussion about the strategic advantage a more diverse workforce can bring. Joined by Angela Owen OBE, Founder of Women in Defence UK, and Richard Blackmore, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at BAE Systems, we demystify some terms and
The Refresh of the Defence Command Paper: Implications for British Defence
In our inaugural episode, we discuss the recent refresh to the Defence Command Paper and its impact on British Defence. Experts including Dr Robert Johnson, Director, Secretary of State’s Office for Net Assessment and Challenge, provide insights into the UK’s strategic priorities, the critical role of Britain’s defence industrial base, and what the future holds for British defence.Find out more ab
