Defending Australia 2025 forum: Watch as political, military and industry leaders discuss Trump, AUKUS, Iran and China

From China to Trump, subs to space weapons, the Defending Australia forum was a fascinating glimpse into the future of hi-tech warfare and our national security challenges.

News Corp’s Defending Australia event for 2025 brought together key defence decision-makers to discuss our nation’s security at a time of extraordinary global turmoil.

The morning session focused on the future of the AUKUS alliance and nuclear-powered submarines project, the global threat posed by China, and the role of AI and space weapons in future warfare.

It included a fascinating interview with Donald Trump’s former national security adviser HR McMaster – and a pledge from SA Premier Peter Malinauskas that submarines will be built in Australia regardless of the outcome of the Trump administration’s review of the deal.

The afternoon session heard keynote speeches from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston, who examined Australia’s military role in a world of growing conflict.

Read the recap below or watch the full replay above