Exchanges with Ben Westgarth: Drone(ing) the skies

The skies are changing and so is the future of national security. This week on Exchanges, we sit down with Ben Westgarth, CEO and CTO of Department13, for a fascinating and timely conversation about drone technology, counter-drone systems, and what it really takes to protect Australia in an increasingly complex world. Ben pulls back the curtain on how counter-drone systems actually work, why the ability to develop and adapt rapidly is now a strategic necessity, and what Australia's current defence capabilities look like and where they need to go. From the technology shaping modern warfare to the broader question of national resilience, this is an Exchange that connects cutting-edge innovation with the very real stakes of keeping a nation safe. To find out more about Ben click here: LinkedIn:   / ben-westgarth-1992a618   Website: https://department13.com/ To find out more about Evan click here: LinkedIn:   / evan-lucas-44a25316   Instagram:   / evanlucas_   Website: www.evanlucas.com.au Chapters 00:00 The Journey into Drone Technology 01:56 Australia's Tech Landscape and Support 04:17 Department 13: Technology Overview 05:47 Future Resilience and Drone Evolution 09:40 Drones in Society: Opportunities and Risks 11:24 Illegal Drone Flights and Public Awareness 13:21 Government Spending and Infrastructure Needs 15:20 Learning from Cybersecurity Regulations 18:24 Subscription Model for Drone Monitoring 22:27 Public Misunderstandings of Drone Technology 25:57 AUKUS and Defense Spending Perspectives 30:55 The Limitations of Drone Jamming 34:26 Vision for Australia's Sovereign Capability