Equipping the future warfighter, with Mark Donaldson VC and Daniel Keighran VC

In this very special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Mark Donaldson VC — now a strategic advisor for Microsoft — and Daniel Keighran VC, key account manager joint capability at Thales Australia and New Zealand, join host Phil Tarrant to discuss equipping Australia’s future warfighter.

• The two Victoria Cross recipients discuss the importance of providing Australia’s servicemen and women with the latest equipment to achieve battlefield outcomes, including: a. Cognitive decision-making tools; b. Translation capabilities on battlefield radios; c. High-value target intelligence and identification equipment; d. Section level information sharing capabilities; and e. Digitising equipment to streamline maintenance and sustainment.

• Mark Donaldson VC and Daniel Keighran VC then unpack their recent business ventures at Microsoft and Thales, including the Nexium Defence Cloud and the digital battle rifle, and how technology will enable warfighters to make quicker, smarter and more effective decisions on the battlefield. 
• The podcast wraps up with an analysis of the war in Ukraine to assess the future of multi-domain conflict. 

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team