WA DEFENCE REVIEW is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2021-22 Annual Publication.
Crowning an eventful year in which the organisation has seen growth across all its platforms, the 4th Edition is the biggest and best yet with over 300 pages of commentary, analysis, interviews, info-graphics, exclusive photos, and, in a first for the publication, topical cartoons.
Says WA DEFENCE REVIEW Founder and Managing Editor, Serge DeSilva-Ranasinghe, “This has been a mammoth effort from all involved, but making sure the west coast has a strong voice in Australia’s defence and national security conversation is well worth the hard work.” He adds, “We at WA DEFENCE REVEW are passionate about providing a platform for the many decision-makers and businesses that make this such a vibrant sector here in Western Australia.”
WA DEFECE REVIEW’s 2021-22 Annual Publication builds on the solid foundations of previous editions in showcasing WA’s expanding defence and related sectors, while keeping a keen eye on the evolving geo-strategic issues facing Australia and the vital Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions. Indeed, one of the big themes of this year’s publication is building sovereign capability, an issue which has come to take centre-stage as the pandemic takes its toll internationally on production output and supply chains. Adam Goodes’ article ‘Building Indigenous Business to Enhance Sovereign Capability’ speaks to this timely issue, and also marks the publication’s first piece under the new ‘Defence & Indigenous Engagement’ column.
Other topical new columns introduced in this year’s edition include Critical Infrastructure, Eastern Australian Security, Innovation & Disruptive Technologies, National Security Affairs, Naval & Maritime Affairs, Oceania Security, Southern Australian Security, Training & Simulation and West Coast Defence.
The Annual Publication has also been fortunate to secure rare and exclusive access to a number of important decision-makers. GEN John W ‘Jay’ Raymond, Chief of Operations, US Space Force speaks frankly about the need to keep space “free and open”, while an engaging interview with Kim Ellis, Director, Australian Antarctic Division, explores the important role Australia is playing in maintaining Antarctica’s role as a natural reserve devoted to peace, science and environmental protection. In addition, Paul Everingham, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, discusses the state of WA’s resources sector and its potential synergies with the defence sector.
WA DEFENCE REVIEW Annual Publication is now the largest defence sector publication of its kind in Australia; no mean feat for an enterprise just into its fifth year. But ultimately, it’s the quality of the work that matters, and in that regard the publication continues to garner the respect of senior defence industry figures. Former WA Defence Advocate, RADM Raydon Gates AO CSM (Rtd), who has also penned a commentary piece this year, remarks:
“I have been impressed with the continuing maturity of debate within the state on defence sector issues. One of the leaders in this field has been the WA DEFENCE REVIEW, which has not only led the 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.”
Four editions in and the WA DEFENCE REVIEW Annual Publication has cemented itself as the comprehensive go-to resource for information, commentary and analysis of WA’s defence sector and related industries. Furthermore, WA DEFENCE REVIEW’s suite of products and services is set to expand even further over the next 12 months; the Video Channel has already garnered 30,000 views, while The Pragmatist: The Policy Blog of WA DEFENCE REVIEW continues to provide a stimulating platform for the Australian defence conversation. In addition, our Events Program will build on its success in providing not only relaxed networking opportunities, but in spurring discussion on topics of interest. Combined, these services will provide even greater value to our clients, stakeholders and readership, and will in turn markedly enhance the profile and visibility of Western Australia’s unique defence sector to the rest of the country.