Training the Future Force : AI Advantage & Scalable Simulation For Readiness
The Vanguard Podcast
As Canada’s defence ecosystem looks for faster, smarter, and more scalable ways to prepare personnel for increasingly complex operational environments, immersive training technologies are moving from the margins to the centre of readiness planning. In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones speaks with Raja Khanna, CEO of Lumeto, and Kavi Maharajh, the company’s Chief Product Officer, about how Canadian-built AI-enabled simulation is reshaping training across healthcare and defence. The conversation explores how ’s immersive platform, InvolveXR, is being applied beyond...
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Beyond the Battlefield: Why Business Readiness Is the Real Backbone of Defence
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Peter Dawe, Vice President of Defence Strategy at Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), to explore why business readiness—not just technology or equipment—is becoming one of the most critical components of Canada’s defence and economic security landscape. Drawing on more than three decades of experience in the Canadian Armed Forces and his current work supporting Canadian SMEs at BDC, Dawe offers a practical and execution-focused perspective on what it really takes for companies to succeed in defence and...
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Serco - Integrating People, Processes & Technology to Deliver LVC as an Enterprise
The Vanguard Podcast
Vanguard Radio host J. Richard Jones welcomes Charlie Tucker, Solutions Engineer, , for an in-depth conversation on how Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training must evolve from isolated systems into a fully integrated enterprise capability. Drawing on Charlie’s 15 years supporting modeling, simulation, testing, and acquisition programs in the LVC domain, this episode explores how Serco combines people, processes, and technology to help governments modernize readiness at scale. Listeners will hear how Serco’s service-first heritage shapes its approach to defense training, emphasizing...
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The Next Generation of Warfighter Training
The Vanguard Podcast
Interview with Jay Ballard, Vice President of Defence-Learning at Calian Defence Canada. As global threats evolve and operational environments grow more complex, the way militaries train must transform just as rapidly. In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Jay Ballard, Vice President of Defence-Learning at Calian Defence Canada, to explore what it takes to prepare the next generation of warfighters. Drawing on more than two decades of operational experience as a U.S. Navy Commander—including nearly 4,000 flight hours, multiple deployments, and elite...
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It’s Time to Rethink Canada’s Military Training
The Vanguard Podcast
As Canada accelerates defence spending and advances a new era of military recapitalization, one critical question is coming into sharper focus: are training systems keeping pace with the platforms they are meant to support? In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Jeff Tasseron to explore why Canada must rethink its approach to military training. Representing —a global leader in military training and simulation that supports defence forces across naval, land, and air domains—Tasseron brings insight into how advanced, increasingly AI-enabled training...
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Icebreakers, NSS 2.0 and Exporting Canadian Ship Design
The Vanguard Podcast
Interview with Derek Buxton, VP Business Development & Ottawa, Vard Marine Inc. In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Derek Buxton, VP Business Development & Ottawa at Vard Marine Inc., for an in-depth discussion on the future of Canadian ship design, icebreaker innovation, and the evolution of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). With more than three decades of combined service in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard, Buxton brings a rare blend of operational experience and technical authority to the conversation. A...
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The Unified Sensor Advantage: Powering the Mission
The Vanguard Podcast
Interview with Karl Schaub, Chief Solution Architect, Netscout In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Karl Schaub, Chief Solution Architect at , to explore how next-generation sensor strategies are reshaping cyber defence, network performance, and mission assurance across federal and public-sector environments. With more than 25 years of hands-on experience spanning cybersecurity, network architecture, and product management, Schaub explains why the traditional separation between performance monitoring and security tools is no longer sustainable. The...
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Guardians of the North
The Vanguard Podcast
Interview with Chris Pogue, President, Defence & Space, Calian In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Chris Pogue—President, Defence & Space at and a retired Royal Canadian Air Force officer—to explore how Canada is shaping the future of defence, space, and allied interoperability. Drawing on more than two decades of senior executive leadership across Canada’s defence and aerospace ecosystem, Pogue offers a candid, strategic look at Calian’s expanding role in supporting NATO allies, modernizing military training, and advancing...
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What Canadian pilots can expect from the 5th generation F-35
The Vanguard Podcast
Interview with Andrew “Bundy” Soundy, F-35 Test Pilot, Lockheed Martin In this special episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with one of the world’s most experienced F-35 test pilots: Andrew “Bundy” Soundy, Chief Test Pilot for the F-35 at the 461st Flight Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base. A graduate turned test pilot, Bundy brings over 1,100 hours in the F-35 and decades of operational and test experience across the CF-18, F-16, and fifth-generation platforms. In a wide-ranging and candid conversation, he traces his journey from RMC to Cold Lake to...
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Delivering an All-Encompassing and Sovereign Canadian Sustainment Solution
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Sheldon Gillis, MSC, CD, CPSP Campaign Lead at , for a deep and timely conversation about what’s next for Canada’s submarine future—and why sustainment is just as important as the platform itself. With over 25 years of distinguished service in the Royal Canadian Navy—including command at sea, operational deployments across the globe, leadership roles in the Arctic, and senior oversight of naval requirements—Sheldon brings unparalleled insight into what it takes to deliver a modern, sovereign, and mission-ready...
info_outlineInterview with Simon Carroll, President Saab Canada
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Simon Carroll, President of Saab Canada, to explore the company’s significant impact on the Canadian defence landscape. With over 35 years of experience supporting the Canadian Armed Forces, Saab has established a strong foothold across the country, including key operations in Ottawa, Halifax, and Medicine Hat. Simon, a former Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, brings three decades of expertise in the defence and naval sectors, spanning the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, now leveraging that knowledge for Canada's unique defence needs.
Join us as we delve into Saab's recent achievements, including the award of the Soldier Portable Air Defence System (SPADS) project in February 2024 and ongoing collaborations with the Canadian Navy on the Halifax Class. Simon shares insights on the implications of Sweden joining NATO and discusses Saab’s long-term strategy for Canada, highlighted by opportunities arising from the recent 'Our North, Strong and Free' report.
We’ll also get Simon's perspective on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) Request for Information (RFI) and how Saab’s collaborative approach fosters strong partnerships with the Canadian government and local industry. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on innovation, strategy, and the future of defence in Canada!
In this episode:
- The importance of this year's soldier-portable air-defence system (SPADS) contract award to Saab
- How Sweden joining NATO may impact Saab in Canada
- How 'Our North, Strong and Free' effects Saab's approach to its business in Canada
- Canadian Patrol Submarine Project RFI
- And more