APDR (Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter)

1 week ago | asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann

The election result is a surprisingly strong win for Labor, but it’s important to understand the basis for that. Yes, the Coalition ran a poor campaign and the ALP a good one – but the real reason for a reversal in poll numbers during the last 4 months is because of the Trump Effect, similar to what has occurred in Canada. It’s important not to lose sight of the big picture – Trump’s tariff war risks destroying the global economy and Australia will not be insulated from the consequences.

2 weeks ago | asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann

This Federal election 2025 special podcast starts with the shocking news that the government is offering nothing new on the Defence and national security front – and the opposition isn’t much better. For Australians interested in topics other than the most dull, mundane, routine “news” they will have to go elsewhere than the election campaign and the woeful performance of much of the media.

2 weeks ago | asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann

Asked for a summary of the major elements for the program, Defence replied: “The first Hunter Class frigate is expected to be delivered in 2032 and operational in 2034. Ships 2 and 3 will follow on a 2-year cycle with expected operational dates in 2036 and 2038 respectively. “As part of the staged approval process for the project, Defence will return to the Australian Government later this decade to seek funding for ships 4-6. Construction has commenced on 29 of 78 blocks for the first ship.

1 month ago | asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann |Saab Pacific

Economic turmoil continues in the US with almost daily shifts in the tariff war being conducted against everyone except Russia. The self-destructive economic behaviour of the Trump administration is likely to drive countries in our region much closer to China – something that will have major implications for Australian security. Not that you will hear a word about that from any of our head in the sand politicians.

1 month ago | asiapacificdefencereporter.com | Kym Bergmann

We record this episode with a sense of impending doom now that we know what Trump administration Liberation Day looks like – and it’s bad. The US is voluntarily withdrawing from world leadership, and it would not be a surprise if NATO, the IMF and the WTO are next. Not that you will hear a peep from our politicians or most of the media, who simply cannot imagine anything other than a comfortable world led by Washington.