AUKUS pressure points and DroneShield developments

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Kirra Davey discuss a few recent news items of interest. We open with the news that DroneShield are working with AIM Defence to include their Fractl laser based C-UAS product in DroneShield's ecosystem of detectors, jammers and C2 products. We also note their DroneSentry-X Mk2 product is being used in the USA. The discussion then moves on to news relating to AUKUS, including the US GAO's report showing that, to the end of 2025, US nuclear submarines had a very large number of "inactive" days across the fleet, either waiting for maintenance or waiting to be decommissioned, during which time they were required to be crewed while tied up at a pier. On further AUKUS news, we also look at the UK government delaying their purchase of new attack submarines plus the indication that design work is only half way completed, which tends to cast doubt on a previous statement a few years ago from our Navy that the design was 70% complete. We also discuss a UK report on issues with production of the nuclear reactors required for the Dreadnaught and SSN AUKUS submarines, which could further delay SSN AUKUS production for Australia. Both the US and UK reports highlight the need for government watchdogs to be able to publically identify issues and hold governments and militaries to task about their ability to deliver on major projects. We wrap with feedback from our previous News Review episode which confirmed that the StrikeMaster vehicle used in the NATO exercise had a right hand drive configuration. **Links:** DroneShield: https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/droneshield-expands-open-counter-drone-architecture https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/us-accepts-droneshield-dronesentry-x-mk2-on-isvs AUKUS https://news.usni.org/2026/09/01/gao-report-on-attack-submarine-maintenance-challenges https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/09/12/labour-delays-buying-new-attack-submarines/ \------------------ The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au). The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer. If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [defmag@yaffa.com.au](mailto:defmag@yaffa.com.au) to get involved. ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence. For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan. Hosted by Grant McHerron Producer: Steve Visscher Australian Defence Magazine - © 2026