INTRODUCTION

By Serge DeSilvaRanasinghe,

Managing Editor, WA DEFENCE REVIEW

Readers may note that we have also revised and updated the WA DEFENCE REVIEW masthead to reflect our broadening subject matter and multi-disciplinary interests. This diversification has enabled us to produce a slate of more refined products and services which will resonate with the defence sector, and the interests of a broad cross-section of Australian industry.

Some of the notable differences between this and previous editions include an added emphasis on editorial depth and quality of coverage, a greater variety of interesting content, and even more flair in the layout design, which is now accentuated with maps, infographics and illustrations.

We have introduced many new and topical columns, such as: Critical Infrastructure, Defence & Indigenous Engagement, Eastern Australian Security, Innovation & Disruptive Technologies, National Security Affairs, Naval & Maritime Affairs, Oceania Security, Southern Australian Security, Training & Simulation and West Coast Defence.

In terms of content, what is particularly noteworthy about this edition is the unconventional coverage of subjects that seldom receive serious attention. For instance, we have secured in-depth, high-profile interviews with the likes of GEN John W. ‘Jay’ Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, US Space Force, Paul Everingham, President, Chamber of Minerals & Energy WA and Kim Ellis, Director, Australian Antarctic Division to name a few.

More generally, WA DEFENCE REVIEW has continued to consolidate and refine our focus and objectives. Our Video Channel platform has been augmented by a series of new products and services and has to date received a total of nearly 30,000 views.

The Pragmatist: The Policy Blog of WA DEFENCE REVIEW remains a platform that publishes interesting featured content adding to the overall defence debate in Australia, with original articles being sourced by respected contributors who provide unique insights and analysis on a multiplicity of topics related to defence and national security.

Our events program remains varied, unique and engaging, and continues to evolve with new event concepts to be introduced soon. Since October 2020, we have hosted 11 major events including seven cocktail functions, one keynote speaker event and three exclusive roundtable luncheons addressing issues such as Indigenous engagement and the defence sector, the case for the Western Trade Coast, and a discussion on leadership and management. We look forward to customising our events program to meet the interests of the defence sector and to remaining at the helm of local, national and regional conversations and debates.

In February 2021, WA DEFENCE REVIEW appointed an honorary and multidisciplinary Editorial Advisory Group composed of prominent senior professionals representing a range of different sectors. The profiles of each of the group’s members can be viewed on our website. More recently, in August 2021 and in line with our commitment to corporate social responsibility we appointed two Advocates, both of whom are veterans, namely Cherish McNamara (Advocate - Women in STEM) and Andre De Barr (Advocate - Veterans Engagement) to help advise WA DEFENCE REVIEW on how best to engage with relevant stakeholders that have relevance to the defence sector; such as charities, veterans’ groups and NGOs.

WA DEFENCE REVIEW remains committed to providing a unique value proposition to the Australian defence sector. Indeed, it is our belief that WA’s strengths - whether in industry or strategic geography - have yet to be fully harnessed in the national interest and as such shall remain WA DEFENCE REVIEW’s ongoing focus to ensure that the west coast always has a voice in Australia’s defence and national security conversation.

Seen in this light we are pleased that a growing number of senior and respected defence industry figures recognise our efforts. “Over the four years I have been the Defence Advocate for Western Australia I have been impressed with the continuing maturity of debate within the state on defence sector issues,” said former WA Defence Advocate, RADM Raydon Gates AO CSM (Rtd). He further elaborated: “One of the leaders in this field has been the WA DEFENCE REVIEW, which has not only led engagement with defence industry in the state, but has, as is evident in this edition, gone from strength to strength in setting the geo-strategic context within which defence industry has to consistently excel as a fundamental input to capability. I therefore commend this edition of WA DEFENCE REVIEW to you.”

We hope you enjoy reading this year’s edition!