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Iain Ballantyne

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Warships Pod
Warships PodCold War & 1990s Submarines & the Hybrid Navy In this episode host Iain Ballantyne talks to guest Steve Kershaw, a former Royal Navy submarine officer, about his amazing career under the sea and his work today helping to bring about the UK’S ‘Hybrid Navy’ transformation.Iain kicks off by asking Steve to explain what led him to choose a naval career in the mid-1980s and why it was the engineering side of the Senior Service that appealed most.After talking about his time undergoing Initial Sea Training and being ‘streamed’ to the Submarine Service as an engineer, Steve relates how for a short pe...
2026-02-221h 09Warships Pod
Warships PodChurchill’s Peril: U-boat WolfpacksGuest Roger Moorhouse and host Iain Ballantyne discuss the German submarine threat in WW2 in a lively and engrossing chat. Roger is the author of several acclaimed books, including ‘Killing Hitler’ and ‘First to Fight’ and now ‘Wolfpack’, an excellent single volume deep dive into the submarine arm of the Kriegsmarine - Hitler’s navy - and which was reviewed in the November 2025 edition of Warships IFR.Topics touched on in this episode include pondering why the Germans placed their bets on the U-boat again, for the second time in a quarter of a century, despite having seen a similar stra...
2025-12-0952 minWarships Pod
Warships PodBattleships Reborn!?During the second part of a fascinating chat with host Iain Ballantyne, guest Dr James Bosbotinis things kick off by addressing how a future battleship might shape up following President Donald Trump’s call for a new generation of the fighting steel behemoths.James suggests that, rather than following a WW2 pattern, such a 21st Century capital ship could be armed with a huge number of missiles and an electromagnetic railgun – and be more along Russian nuclear-powered cruiser lines than inspired by the US Navy’s Iowa Class battlewagon of WW2 and the Cold War.Also discus...
2025-11-2136 minWarships Pod
Warships PodBear and Dragon RisingDuring the first part of a fascinating discussion with host Iain Ballantyne, returning guest Dr James Bosbotinis provides insights into the naval significance of a big military parade in China. Also considered is the current status of the Russian threat and the scale of danger being faced by NATO.More specifically, Iain asks if a recent incident involving the allegedly broken down diesel-electric Kilo Class submarine RFS Novorossiysk indicates - as the head of NATO has contended - that the Russian Navy of today is less ‘Hunt for the Red October’ and more like ‘the Hunt for a mechan...
2025-11-1543 minWarships Pod
Warships PodThe Royal Navy Needs a New Dreadnought MomentIn the second and final part of their discussion defence expert Lee Pilgrim and host Iain Ballantyne resume their survey of the Royal Navy and how to fix it.They ponder the need for a new ‘Dreadnought moment’ under a leader as radical as the legendary Admiral Jacky Fisher who introduced war-winning tech and a new mindset.Fisher pushed through construction of the all-big-gun, steam turbine powered HMS Dreadnought, which in 1906 made all other battleships obsolete.Lee suggests it will also require a latter-day Julian Corbett, the civilian naval visionary who helped Britain forge a st...
2025-09-1247 minAhmad Hardyoni
Ahmad HardyoniREAD? Hunter Killers: The Dramatic Untold Story of the Royal Navy’s Most Secret Service by Iain BallantyneTo Read or Download Hunter Killers: The Dramatic Untold Story of the Royal Navy’s Most Secret Service by Iain Ballantyne Visit Link Bellow You Can Download Or Read Free Books   Link To Download => https://goodstore99.blogspot.com/id/B00CYKHQM4 Available versions: EPUB, PDF, MOBI, DOC, Kindle, Audiobook, etc. read (PDF) Hunter Killers: The Dramatic Untold Story of the Royal Navy’s Most Secret Service pdf read (PDF) Hunter Killers: The Dramatic Untold Story of the Royal Navy’s Most Secret Service ebook read (PDF) Hunter Killers: The Dramatic...
2025-09-0300 minWarships Pod
Warships PodDangerous Times Call for Daring DecisionsIn the first of a two-part discussion, defence expert Lee Pilgrim provides some common sense, but possibly provocative, suggestions on how to sort out the mess in which the Royal Navy currently finds itself.In this wide-ranging part one chat Lee considers the current state of the RN - underperforming against the budget given to it - and recommends some radical cures for what ails the Naval Service. These include getting rid of surface warships and submarines that never go to sea in order to ensure the rest of the Fleet is out there being more active.
2025-08-1352 minWarships Pod
Warships PodUK Strategic Defence Review ‘Fudge’ & Israel-Iran WarIn this episode host Iain Ballantyne and returning guest Dr Gary Blackburn convene to discuss the substance, or otherwise, of the UK’s recently published Strategic Defence Review (SDR) paper.They also tackle topics relating to the Israel-Iran War, the British reaction to it and also what President Donald Trump may or may not do next.Gary proposes that the UK SDR paper was more of a template than anything else, and in fact amounted to a rather big fudge. Iain suggests that UK politicians have not yet woken up the to the sheer sca...
2025-06-2056 minWarships Pod
Warships PodBanned by Russia, Decorated by UkraineOur guest is John Foreman, naval officer and former UK Defence Attaché in Moscow and Kyiv. He provides amazing insights into what it was like dealing with the regime of Vladimir Putin as Russia invaded Ukraine and reflects on other dealings with the Russians, at sea and ashore.Topics discussed include the halcyon days of the old Cold War ending at sea between the Royal Navy and Russian Navy - amid a fair bit of amity - when the anti-submarine and intelligence-gathering frigate HMS London sailed to Murmansk and Archangel on a defence diplomacy mission. John shares his m...
2025-05-0258 minWarships Pod
Warships PodA World at War: Inevitable or Avoidable?In this episode of the Warships Pod guests David Murrin and Dr David Blagden, with help from host Iain Ballantyne, discuss a worldwide struggle in a multi-polar era that is rapidly turning kinetic - from Ukraine, to the Red Sea and Gaza. It may soon burn even hotter should China invade Taiwan and/or the USA attack Iran.A number of topics are discussed during this episode, including the following:*Does the European Union (EU) have a place in such a world, at the top table? Or is it going to be sweeping up the crumbs...
2025-04-091h 06Warships Pod
Warships PodTrump Presidency v2.0 & UK DefenceIn this episode of the Warships Pod Dr Gary Blackburn returns to have a chat with host Iain Ballantyne about the impact of the second presidency of Donald Trump.Topics discussed include the transactional fashion in which the returning POTUS runs domestic and foreign policies along with defence matters, plus how he seems intent on creating a tripolar world in which the USA, Russia and China have their spheres of influence and every other nation must fall in line.Gary points out that none of it should be a shock and while a sense of moral...
2025-03-1348 minWarships Pod
Warships PodState of the US Navy Pt2 with David AxeIn the second of our podcast episodes devoted to the State of the US Navy - as it and a troubled world sail into 2025 - guest David Axe chats with host Iain Ballantyne. A range of topics, including many covered in the recently published Warships IFR ‘Guide to the US Navy 2025’, are covered in the discussion.After giving his overall take on the America’s navy David provides his perspective on how Donald Trump taking office as President for a second time might affect NATO. Iain wonders even if the new POTUS does not pull the US out of the...
2024-12-2430 minWarships Pod
Warships PodState of the US Navy Pt1 with Dr Emma SalisburyIn the first of two podcast episodes on the State of the US Navy as it (and a troubled world) sail into 2025, guest Dr Emma Salisbury chats with host Iain BallantyneThey look first of all at areas Emma wrote about in the recently published Warships IFR ‘Guide to US Navy 2025’, namely: the USA’s ‘shipbuilding woes’; the future size and composition of the USN; the US Navy and AUKUS - is it mission impossible?And is there a solution for the latter - enabling the AUKUS project to survive - should it be impossible to provide th...
2024-12-1940 minWarships Pod
Warships PodNukes, Putin’s Threats, Trump Returns & UK Defence CutsAs the United Kingdom strives to maintain a credible strategic deterrent in the face of Russian aggression – including threats from President Vladimir Putin to ‘go nuclear’ due to alleged Western interference in the Ukraine War - our guest on the podcast is Dr David Blagden. Together with podcast host Iain Ballantyne he considers the case for augmenting the UK’s sea-based Trident missile force. Among other things, Iain wonders if a driver might be the sheer stress imposed on the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) ballistic missile submarines by very long patrols. Bearing in mind developments such as Mosc...
2024-11-2344 minWarships Pod
Warships PodMissile Wars & the Risk of WW3Dr James Bosbotinis draws on his considerable expertise in naval weaponry and the threats they pose, along with offering insights into geopolitical developments that do not augur well for world peace.The discussion with host Iain Ballantyne includes the part played by the US Navy and Royal Navy defending international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden against attack by the Houthi rebels of Yemen, along with Iranian ballistic missile and drone blitzes on Israel.Western naval stocks being depleted at a time when the threat from Russia and China must also be deterred...
2024-10-161h 03Warships Pod
Warships PodMaking the Royal Navy More LethalOur guests on this episode of the podcast are Dr Emma Salisbury and Will Freer, who recently wrote a commentary for Warships IFR, headlined ‘How to Achieve a More Lethal Royal Navy’, which was based on their recent report for the Council on Geostrategy.Here they discuss various topics associated with the report with podcast host Iain Ballantyne. They include the Royal Navy’s role today, what ‘being more lethal’ means in reality and also component parts of ‘more lethality’.In addition, the ideal size of the Royal Navy’s destroyer and frigate force is touched on and also the...
2024-07-2347 minWarships Pod
Warships PodDormant NATO & Russia: Confront or Contain?Back for a second discussion of hot topics are guests Dr Gary Blackburn and Dr David Blagden. With host Iain Ballantyne, they weigh up the prospect of European NATO nations being forced to cope with a bigger burden of defence, if a re-elected President Trump decides to to pull American land forces out of the Continent. It is a policy that is being called ‘Dormant NATO’ by some commentators.They also consider whether or not the confrontation between missile-firing Houthi rebels and Western navies in the Red Sea is becoming a forgotten contest, with warships that were once comm...
2024-06-0325 minWarships Pod
Warships PodNational Service Electioneering & Drones SeductionOur guests for this episode are Dr Gary Blackburn and Dr David Blagden who, with host Iain Ballantyne, discuss a recent proposal by the UK Government to introduce a new National Service scheme for 18-year-olds. Iain asks if it is just a case of blatant electioneering by the incumbent Sunak administration, which looks set to lose a summer General Election to the Labour Party? Or does the proposal offer some merit amid a recruitment crisis for the Royal Navy? Likewise, was the other recent big defence announcement by the Conservative government - of taking Defence spending...
2024-05-3135 minWarships Pod
Warships PodNaval Intelligence in WW2 - Eavesdroppers & the Secret WarOur guest on this episode is Dr Helen Fry, the author of more than 25 books on the social history of WW2, not least British intelligence activities, spies and the like. She is a leading authority on many related topics, including on the ‘secret listeners’ who eavesdropped on what enemy Prisoners of War were discussing. This was in order to gain insights into what was going on in the foe’s war effort and also the mindset of the German opposition. In the discussion with podcast host Iain Ballantyne, Dr Fry touches on various naval angles not least th...
2024-05-1052 minWarships Pod
Warships PodA Fragile Nuclear Deterrent in a Dangerous WorldIn part two of their discussion, Warships Pod host Iain Ballantyne and guest Doug Littlejohns touch on numerous things, not least nuclear deterrent matters.As in the previous episode, the situation during the Cold War is compared with today’s, including the problem of Royal Navy submarines that carry the deterrent becoming elderly and badly in need of replacement.Doug recalls his role in selling the upgrade from Polaris to Trident to the British public in the 1980s, providing insights into how fundamental it was to absolutely guarantee its effectiveness.Doug suggests that for su...
2024-03-1845 minWarships Pod
Warships PodOn the Brink of World War Three?In the first part of a discussion with Captain Doug Littlejohns, who commanded a nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarine against the Russians during the old Cold War, the primary topic is whether or not we are on the brink of World War Three.Doug provides insights gained when he played key roles tasking NATO submarines during 1980s spikes in tension and also from working in the corridors of power in the Ministry of Defence in London.Podcast host Iain Ballantyne also asks whether or not Doug was ever truly scared the face-off between the Soviet Union and the...
2024-03-1131 minWarships Pod
Warships PodUK Defence Troubles & the New Cold War A National Audit Office (NAO) report on ‘The Equipment Plan 2023 - 2033’ in the UK makes for grim reading, revealing a massive so-called ‘black hole’ in the Defence budget, which means there is apparently no money for key projects, including future warships.In part two of the discussion, host Iain Ballantyne and guests Gary Blackburn and James Bosbotinis weigh up the shortfall in funding. They also ponder what the Labour Government-in-waiting might do to fill in the ‘black hole’ if it succeeds in coming to power in 2024. Are we going to see the Navy-led Indo-Pacific ‘tilt’ by the UK axed an...
2023-12-1235 minWarships Pod
Warships PodGuyana War Clouds & Houthi AttacksThis episode begins with a discussion by host Iain Ballantyne and guests Dr Gary Blackburn and Dr James Bosbotinis about the bid by Venezuela to annex a major part of neighboring Guyana. How might navies attempt to prevent escalation as the communist client state of Russia and Iran considers its next move against an oil-rich Commonwealth nation? How the Venezuelan Navy stacks up against Guyana’s forces is part of the discussion. Then there is the Red Sea situation where the Houthi faction in Yemen is letting fly with Iranian-supplied drones and missiles against merchant ships an...
2023-12-0835 minWarships Pod
Warships PodRed Sea Missile Shoot-downIn a fascinating and absorbing discussion host Iain Ballantyne and guest Tom Sharpe discuss the US Navy destroyer USS Carney shooting down cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. As a former warship captain, Tom provides deeply insightful expert analysis on how the incident may have unfolded. But the podcast first grips listeners with Tom’s insider perspective on tense anti-terrorist patrols aboard British frigates in the northern Arabian Gulf and facing the Iranian threat in the Strait of Hormuz. Iain and Tom then consider the naval side of the Israel-Hamas crisis, not least the USA...
2023-10-301h 09Warships Pod
Warships PodCold War Secret Diesel Submarine MissionsOur special guest for a deep dive into British naval espionage during the Cold War is Mike Hurley, a veteran of undersea deployments in dangerous waters. As a very young submariner in the late 1950s Mike endured marathon patrols in diesel-electric submarines, most notably HMS Taciturn. In this fascinating discussion with Warships Pod host Iain Ballantyne, Mike reveals how Taciturn ventured into Arctic waters to gather intelligence on Red Navy exercises and, potentially, the foe’s secret technology. As a conventional (non-nuclear) submarine, Taciturn had to risk ‘snorting’ to vent diesel fumes while charging her ba...
2023-10-171h 02Warships Pod
Warships Pod‘Oppenheimer’ Movie Review & US Navy Versus UFOs LatestIn part two of their podcast discussion Iain Ballantyne and Gary Blackburn provide their opinions on the Hollywood movie ‘Oppenheimer’, about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the so-called ‘father of the atom bomb.’ It includes a discussion on the historical context of The Bomb’s use to end WW2, especially in light of the US Navy already bringing Japan to the brink of surrender via a blockade enforced by its submarines. So, what were the motivations for dropping the Fat Man and Little Boy nuclear weapons on Hiroshima in 1945?Iain and Gary also weigh up the worth of the latest...
2023-08-2529 minWarships Pod
Warships PodUK Defence Word Salad & War in the Black SeaIn part one of this discussion between Dr. Gary Blackburn and host Iain Ballantyne, they investigate the recently published UK Defence Command Paper (DCP). It was meant to lay out how British national defence and security will be achieved, especially in light of the on-going Ukraine War. However, it is regarded by some as nothing more than a ‘word salad’ - an opaquely worded smokescreen to hide the fact that Britain doesn’t have enough money to defend itself properly.Gary highlights valid points made by the DCP, while also suggesting its weaknesses. Iain proposes the DCP sho...
2023-08-1843 minWarships Pod
Warships PodCdr Rob Forsyth Pt 2 – Polaris ‘Crash Dive’, Perisher ‘Teacher’ & SSN CommandIn the second and final installment of our discussion with British submarine captain Commander Rob Forsyth, we hear how a hard-charging Soviet spy vessel forced him to order HMS Repulse to ‘crash dive’. It happened as the Polaris missile submarine deployed from Scotland on a deterrent patrol in the early 1970s. With the UK and its NATO allies locked in the Cold War confrontation with the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact, it was vitally important the best of the best became submarine captains, able to take such split-second, life-or-death decisions at sea.And so Rob Forsyth also...
2023-07-2734 minWarships Pod
Warships PodCdr Rob Forsyth Pt1 - Cuban Missile Crisis to Nuclear DeterrentWe continue our occasional series talking to Cold War undersea warriors with the first installment of a two-episode dive into the submarine career of Commander Rob Forsyth.Entering the Royal Navy in the 1950s, after a brief excursion into the surface fleet, Rob found himself aboard the submarine HMS Auriga, undertaking a patrol during the Cuban Missile Crisis of late 1962.With Warships Pod host Iain Ballantyne, Rob also discusses a submerged transatlantic transit in the same diesel-electric boat, which turned out not to be the record-breaking voyage everybody hoped for (due to a messy technical difficulty).
2023-07-1848 minLohikäärmeradio
LohikäärmeradioJakso 37 - Synkkääkin synkempi dystopiaseikkailuKoska huhtikuu oli kuukausista julmin, me kaks despoottia (dystooppia?) äänitimme koko jakson vasta toukokuussa. Mutta koska huhtikuu juuri loppui, puhuimme pelkästään dystopioista. Ihan kamalaa oli eikä kellään ollut kivaa, mikä kuului asiaan. Tuttuun, ammattitaitoiseen tapaamme toinen juontajista oli lukenut aiheesta kaiken ja toinen ei mitään. Jakson kantavina teemoina olivat konfliktit ja erimielisyydet, koska ihmiskunnan on vaan täysin mahdotonta olla samaa mieltä mistään. Hyvin nopeasti päädyimme kannibalismiin ja sukupuolten sortoon. Eli perussettiä luvassa, olkaa hyvät. Teoslista: John Ajvide Lindqvist: Ystävällisyys Stephen King: Fairy Tale, Pitkä Marssi, Tukikohta, Juokse tai kuole, Sleeping beauties Joe Abercromb...
2023-05-091h 53Warships Pod
Warships PodUkraine War Aspects & a new Battle of the AtlanticIn part two of a discussion by Mark Grove and Dr Gary Blackburn with host Iain Ballantyne, the tasty and varied menu includes naval aspects of the Ukraine War and whether or not a new Battle of the Atlantic is shaping up as Russia seeks to win its so-called ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine it has sought to establish stronger links with China, so this begs the question, which Iain puts out there: what does Moscow have to offer Beijing? Does the answer possibly lie in naval technology?After also touching on Russia reinforcing its submarine forces in the...
2023-05-0545 minWarships Pod
Warships PodAUKUS Submarines, the UK’s Indo-Pac Tilt & Defence ‘refresh’In part one of a two-part special, guests Dr Gary Blackburn and Mark Grove discuss an array of hot topics with host Iain Ballantyne. Iain asks Gary and Mark to give their perspectives on submarine aspects of the Australia- United Kingdom-USA (AUKUS) defence pact following the recent big announcement on the way ahead in San Diego. They consider the implications, along with the scale and nature of the challenge, both industrially and strategically. The UK’s Integrated Review 23 Refresh’ (IR23) comes under scrutiny to assess what we know so far and what may be to come, incl...
2023-04-2842 minWarships Pod
Warships PodCombat Divers from WW2 to the Ukraine WarMichael G. Welham is our guest, talking to host Iain Ballantyne about the mysterious world of undersea warriors known as ‘combat divers’.Michael has been involved with diving, both military and civilian, for some 40 years. He was a Royal Marines Commando, with skills in diving, canoeing, and parachuting. Mike was also a member of 21 Special Air Service Regiment and of 95 Commando Naval Gunfire Support Royal Artillery, both British elite Reserve units. To start things off, Iain asks Mike to provide a definition of a combat diver. Who can be described as such? What is it that...
2023-03-0949 minWarships Pod
Warships PodSpying on Russians & Inspiring Tom ClancyIn this podcast our guest is a legend of the Submarine Service. He is Doug Littlejohns, who had a remarkable career in the Royal Navy, both as a submarine captain and in command of an intelligence-gathering warship during the Cold War.Across a fascinating podcast discussion with our host Iain Ballantyne, we hear from Doug about his exciting time on the famed Perisher submarine command course; daring surveillance missions against Russian naval vessels in the diesel submarine HMS Osiris; how he brought the badly damaged nuclear-powered attack submarine HMS Sceptre (and that boat’s crew) back to fighting ef...
2023-02-101h 27Warships Pod
Warships PodCold War Under the Sea: Andy BenfordIn this episode host Iain Ballantyne talks to Andy Benford, a Cold War undersea warrior who saw service in diesel ‘dirty boats’ of the British and Australian navies and aboard nuclear submarines, not only in hunter-killers but also the UK’s Polaris deterrent force.Aside from Andy’s brush with death during a notorious 1972 hovercraft accident in the Solent, they also discuss what inspired him to join the Royal Navy and become a submariner.Starting with service aboard the HMS Finwhale in 1970 - operating out of Singapore, including an exciting encounter with the Special Boat Service (SBS) - b...
2023-01-121h 49Warships Pod
Warships PodState of the US Navy 2023In this episode of the Warships Pod, host Iain Ballantyne is joined by two long-timeand highly valued contributors to Warships IFR magazine and also to the “Guide tothe US Navy.”They are Dr Robert Farley, who currently teaches at the Patterson School ofDiplomacy and International Commerce, University of Kentucky and David Axe, ajournalist, author and filmmaker based in South Carolina.Topics discussed include: the general ‘State of the US Navy’ today and if it is stillable to enforce Pax Americana; whether the USN is adequately coping with the...
2022-12-1258 minFirefighter Podcast
Firefighter Podcast#183 Scottish Accents, Mental health & Marathons in NYC with Mike McNab & Iain BallantyneMike McNab & Iain Ballantyne are firefighters based in Scotland who raised money for charity running the New York City marathon wearing fire kit. In our chat today we talk about:-Mike's personal battles with mental healththe benefit of small habit changes on long term positive changeTheir involvement with Ops Florian training firefighters in third world countries the changing culture of UKFRStraining for the marathonovercoming challenges and lots more..........Listen to every episode & Debrief ever made, get full access to discounts, insider info & support the ongoing work of the podcast by clicking HERE
2022-11-271h 36Warships Pod
Warships PodDunkirk & the Little Ships: Myth versus RealityOur guest for this episode of the Warships Pod is Dr. Philip Weir, a much esteemed naval historian who specialises in the history of the Royal Navy in the first half of the 20th Century. His most recent book is ‘Dunkirk and the Little Ships’. Discussing that famous event is the major topic during his chat with podcast host Iain Ballantyne. In looking at the ‘miracle of Dunkirk’ of May and June 1940 - a story that still grips peoples’ imaginations even more than 80 years later – Iain asks Phil if it is just another example of the British turning a military di...
2022-10-2451 minWarships Pod
Warships PodThe Queen, the Royal Family & the Royal NavyIn this special episode, as the United Kingdom and the world says farewell to Her Majesty The Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, host Iain Ballantyne talks to long-time WARSHIPS IFR contributor Richard Johnstone-Bryden.Richard is the author of several books that highlight the strong connection between the Royal Navy and The Queen. When writing ‘The Royal Yacht Britannia - The Official History,’ Richard worked under the close direction of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s late husband, and also interviewed members of the Royal Family.During the podcast, Iain and Richard consider links between the Ro...
2022-09-1829 minWarships Pod
Warships PodUkraine Naval Blockade, War by Hunger & Top Gun: MaverickWe have as our guest this time David Larter, a noted commentator on US Navy matters and also global naval developments.First up for discussion will be the naval side of Ukraine War, with David giving his perspective on the Russian blockade, plus growing realisation of the global impact of Ukrainian grain shipments being blocked.Podcast host Iain Ballantyne asks what can be done. Can it be broken by force? If so, who would do it? Iain and David discuss the ‘War by Hunger’ that is potentially about to inflict starvation on some of the world’s poor...
2022-06-1959 minWarships Pod
Warships PodThe Naval Present and Future is no Piece of CakeHost Iain Ballantyne is joined by two of the UK’s big thinkers on naval strategy, namely Dr Gary Blackburn and Mark Grove, for a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion of hot topics.The subjects they tackle include who is winning the Ukraine War at sea, plus its implications for navies long and short term, not least a worrying lack of lethality in British warships and the mystifying absence of urgency in doing anything about it.The chat also looks at the lessons provided by the Falklands War of 1982 and how they remain ultra-relevant to today. Whether or not...
2022-05-171h 08Dan Snow\'s History Hit
Dan Snow's History HitFalklands40: The Sinking of the BelgranoOn this day 40 years ago the HMS Conqueror, a British nuclear submarine, propelled silently through the South Atlantic stalking the Argentinian light cruiser the ARA General Belgrano in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands. At 2.57 pm Conqueror was given the order to torpedo the enemy warship. With two direct hits to the ship, more than 300 Argentine sailors were killed in what remains one of the most controversial actions of the Falklands War.To mark the 40th anniversary Dan speaks to Vice Admiral Sir Tim McClement who was second in command on the HMS Conquerer about those...
2022-05-0244 minWarships Pod
Warships PodSinking of the Moskva & Ukraine War Impact  Host Iain Ballantyne and guest Dr Robert Farley reconvene for another podcast chat, this time looking at the sinking of the Russian Navy cruiser Moskva.  In addition to unpicking the event - for example, was the Black Sea Fleet flagship hit by Ukrainian missiles, or was she destroyed by an accidental explosion? – They assess the incident’s impact on the Russian Navy’s campaign.  The discussion includes how the Moskva may have opened herself up to attack and other topics such as comparisons with missile attacks in the 1982 Falklands War on British warships and in the 1...
2022-04-1950 minWarships Pod
Warships PodUkraine, a New Cold War & Some Hot BattleshipsIn this episode host, Iain Ballantyne talks to Dr Robert Farley, a long-time US-based contributor to WARSHIPS IFR magazine, who currently teaches at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, University of Kentucky.They begin with a survey of the Russia-Ukraine War, looking at how the West has handled a major conflict in Europe both diplomatically and military, including aspects of the struggle at sea.Iain and Rob go on to discuss the following: the practicality of a NATO No-Fly Zone; how such a move could see a clash at sea between Russia and Ukraine; the Russian-imposed...
2022-04-101h 01Warships Pod
Warships PodUkraine War: Conflict at Sea & the Nuclear SpectreHost Iain Ballantyne and returning special guest James Bosbotinis, who has deep insight into Russia’s strike capabilities and strategy, in this episode discuss the naval side of the Ukraine conflict and attempt to clear away some of the fog of war.In a wide-ranging chat they look at how things have unfolded so far, with attention paid to the following aspects: the shape of the overall offensive on land and from the sea; missile-firings by Russian warships and submarines from the Black Sea against targets in Ukraine; the Snake Island episode in which Russian warships bombarded a Ukrainian ga...
2022-02-2756 minWarships Pod
Warships PodUkraine Crisis: The Russian Navy’s Global Power PlaySpecial guest for this episode is defence and international affairs analyst Dr. James Bosbotinis who is a regular contributor to WARSHIPS IFR magazine. He possesses deep insights into Russia’s naval capabilities, along with the maritime strategy and long-range strike capabilities of Moscow’s surface warships and submarines. Topics discussed with podcast host Iain Ballantyne include the purpose of Russia deploying task groups to seas off Ireland, in the Mediterranean, and elsewhere as the Ukraine Crisis simmers; the capabilities of missiles in Russia’s ships and submarines at sea; whether or not the Russian Navy of today can sustain its gl...
2022-02-0757 minWarships Pod
Warships PodUkraine Crisis: Russia’s ‘cruise missile diplomacy’ & NATO’s ResponseThis episode sees WARSHIPS IFR Editor Iain Ballantyne and intelligence affairs specialist Chris Carr looking at naval aspects of the Ukraine Crisis. They ponder the prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine and the associated moves at sea by both Moscow’s and NATO’s task groups.The topics include: plans for live-firing exercises by Russian warships off Ireland that may be an end in themselves - to assist the Kremlin’s diplomatic efforts - or a prelude to long-range cruise missiles strikes on Ukraine; whether or not the real objective off Ireland is to destroy the West’s undersea...
2022-01-2746 minWarships Pod
Warships PodA Dunkirk ‘Little Ship’ and Saving Lives at SeaIn this episode of WARSHIPS POD host, Iain Ballantyne chats with Jack Lowe, who connects with the sea while working as a documentarist ‘using photography, audio, film, and words to shine a light on the greatness of others’ (as Jack himself puts it).Jack’s main pursuit in recent times has been The Lifeboat Station Project, which he describes as a mission to ‘photograph all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations on glass.’ Since 2014 he has traveled in Neena, an ambulance converted into a mobile darkroom in which he weaves his magic with glass plates.Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jack had ma...
2022-01-2140 minWarships Pod
Warships PodCinematic Telling of Finale in Pursuit of Battleship Bismarck "Bismarck: 24 Hours to Doom" is the epic true story of the Royal Navy’s pursuit of theGerman battleship Bismarck during WW2, a production that is having its world premiere on a major TV channel in the UK this weekend.Broadcast date: October 30thTime: 6.55pmChannel 4In this podcast special, we talk to the author of the book the television programme is based on - none other than WARSHIPS International Fleet Review Editor Iain Ballantyne.Chatting with guest host Chris Carr enables Iain to give the inside story of both th...
2021-10-2937 minWarships Pod
Warships PodAUKUS, UK Trident Renewal & the Demise of CarriersOn the second episode of WARSHIPS POD host, Iain Ballantyne welcomes two guests who have been regular contributors to WARSHIPS International Fleet Review magazine over the years. Commander Rob Forsyth commanded the diesel boat HMS Alliance during the Cold War, was XO of a Polaris nuclear deterrent missile submarine in the 1970s and also CO of the hunter-killer HMS Sceptre. He was, during his long career as an undersea warrior, ‘Teacher’ on the Royal Navy’s famed Perisher submarine command course.  Dr James Bosbotinis is a highly respected defence expert with a vast knowledge of weapons systems and their pa...
2021-10-2247 minSecrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current AffairsIain Ballantyne has a podcast! -- Warships Pod is out now!Hello everyone One of our regular guests, Iain Ballantyne from Warships IFR magazine now has his own podcast. It's called Warships Pod and you can check it out via the link below. https://pod.fo/e/e3f8c Alternatively search "Warships Pod" on all podcast apps. The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast and Spotify. 
2021-09-0301 minWarships Pod
Warships PodAlien visitors and the mystery of the fly-away logbookWelcome to the first voyage of the WARSHIPS International Fleet Review podcast hosted by its Editor Iain Ballantyne and with the magazine’s Associate Editor Peter Hore as a special guest. They enjoy a lively discussion that ranges from UFOs buzzing warships to whether or not Britain should build a new Royal Yacht and the naval women behind the scenes who helped win WW2.  Subjects touched on across Iain and Peter’s wide-ranging conversation include naval interactions with UFOs; the wisdom or otherwise of building a New Royal Yacht for the UK; whether or not getting rid of the Trident nuclea...
2021-08-311h 02Academy of Ideas
Academy of Ideas#ScotlandSalon: What next for Scottish independence?SCOTLAND SALON: What do the revelations of the past few weeks mean for the independence campaign and for the devolved Scottish Government? Have we seen nothing more than political opportunism on behalf of opposition MSPs, or have the hopes for IndyRef2 been dashed? Is faith in Scottish independence inextricably linked to faith in the SNP? And, more broadly, is there something rotten in the democratic settlement for the people of Scotland? What next for Scottish independence? Jim Sillars, Iain Macwhirter, Alastair Donald and Michelle Ballantyne MSP discuss.
2021-03-241h 54Academy of Ideas
Academy of IdeasWhat next for Scottish independence?This is a recording from a debate held by the Scotland Salon on 23 March 2021: https://academyofideas.org.uk/event/what-next-for-scottish-independence/?fbclid=IwAR3jUUMmq7TZFMKh11ff1sZfGPoEVFLF9xPflMhwZeAOY3DTbUoYyioo4FE What do the revelations of the past few weeks mean for the independence campaign and for the devolved Scottish Government? Have we seen nothing more than political opportunism on behalf of opposition MSPs, or have the hopes for IndyRef2 been dashed? Is faith in Scottish independence inextricably linked to faith in the SNP? And, more broadly, is there something rotten in the democratic settlement for the people of Scotland? Speakers: Michelle...
2021-03-241h 54Reimagining Social Work
Reimagining Social WorkWhat is radical social work?Neil Ballantyne is in conversation with Iain Fergusson, professor of social work, advisory editor of the journal of Critical and Radical Social Work and co-founder of the Social Work Action Network. Neil talks to Iain about the radical social work tradition and how radical social workers can maintain their stance in these deeply neoliberal times. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rswcollective/message
2021-03-1613 minHistory of the Second World War
History of the Second World WarHMS Warspite with Iain BallantyneThis episode is the first interview for the podcast, but certainly not the last. Last week I released the Warspite special, when I did that I did the normal social media stuff, and when I posted on Twitter Iain Ballantyne was tagged. For every series of episodes for the podcast there is a foundational source, it is sometimes the book I read first, sometimes the book I find the most useful, but there is always something that functions as the baseline for all of my other research. For the Warspite special that episode was Mr. Ballantyne's Warspite. After a...
2020-12-1136 minCold War Conversations Podcast
Cold War Conversations PodcastCold War Royal Navy submarine missions (150)Today we speak with Ian Ballantyne, the author of “Hunter Killers”, also known as “Undersea Warriors” in the United States.Hunter Killers’ tells the incredible, true inside story of the Royal Navy’s Cold War beneath the waves.Buy the book and support the podcast here https://amzn.to/3jalireWe talk about the forgotten role Royal Navy submarines played in the Cuban Missile Crisis while also learning the truth behind what official statements called collisions with ‘icebergs’.In addition, we cover the processes and procedures of the Polaris submarin...
2020-11-211h 29Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current AffairsS4: A Naval Perspective On COVID - 19On this episode of “Need to Know” we are joined by author and journalist Iain Ballantyne. We take a look at how COVID-19 is effecting navies across the world and we also look at the first digital edition of Warships magazine. To get a copy of Warships IFR go to WWW.WARSHIPSIFR.COM/ For more information about Iain check out his website here: WWW.IAINBALLANTYNE.COM Please support this podcast
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2020-04-171h 14Power-Up With Your Day With A Uplifting Full Audiobook.
Power-Up With Your Day With A Uplifting Full Audiobook.Undersea Warriors by Iain BallantynePlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/26942to listen full audiobooks. Title: Undersea Warriors Author: Iain Ballantyne Narrator: Tim Bentinck Format: mp3 Length: 20 hrs and 11 mins Release date: 09-03-19 Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars, 7 ratings Genres: Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Publisher's Summary: Undersea Warrior: a submarine designed to pursue and attack enemy submarines and surface ships using torpedoes. This will follow the careers of four daring British submarine captains who risked their lives to keep the rest of us safe, their exploits consigned to the shadows until now. Their experiences encompass the span of the Cold War, from voyages in WW2...
2019-09-038h 11Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current AffairsS3: DDAY75 Submarines & Submarine hunters with Iain BallantyneWELCOME TO TWENTY SEVENWe are joined by Iain Ballantyne, author of “The Deadly Trade: The Complete History of Submarine Warfare”We discuss the role of Submarines and Submarine Hunters in the build-up to D-Day and their role in an allied victory that lead to the end of World War Two.In the later section, we talk about veterans we have met and where to see some of the submarines and ships involved in WW2.IAIN’S LINKSWEBSITE: IAINBALLANTYNE.COM/ WARSHIPS IFR MAGAZINE: HTTPS://WWW.WARSHIPSIFR.COM/ DID YOU ENJOY THIS EPISODE? PLEASE LEAVE ME A TIP VIA PA...
2019-06-061h 27Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current AffairsS3: Need To Know - South China SeasNEED TO KNOW: SOUTH CHINA SEAS WITH IAIN BALLANTYNETHIS IS OUR FIRST PODCAST OF 2019!On this episode of “Need To Know” we are joined we are joined by Author Iain Ballantyne and we discuss the situation in the South China Seas. We also look at developments in anti-ship and submarine weapons. We also ponder on the future of NATO and it’s importance.WARSHIPS MAGAZINEhttps://www.warshipsifr.com/ DID YOU ENJOY THIS EPISODE?Please leave me a small tip: https://paypal.me/drycleanercast?locale.x=en_GB SUPPORT THE SHOWPATREONhttps://www.patreon.com/DryCleanerCast CONNECT WITH U...
2019-01-2657 minPower-Up With The Heart-Pounding Full Audiobook Now, Busy Professionals!
Power-Up With The Heart-Pounding Full Audiobook Now, Busy Professionals!The Deadly Deep by Iain BallantynePlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/130631to listen full audiobooks. Title: The Deadly Deep Author: Iain Ballantyne Narrator: Paul Ansdell Format: mp3 Length: 28 hrs and 38 mins Release date: 01-09-19 Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 112 ratings Genres: Armed Forces Publisher's Summary: Iain Ballantyne considers the key episodes of submarine warfare and vividly describes the stories of brave individuals who have risked their lives under the sea, often with fatal consequences. His analysis of underwater conflict begins with Archimedes discovering the principle of buoyancy. This clandestine narrative then moves through the centuries and focuses on prolific characters with deadly motives.
2019-01-094h 38Jay Talking
Jay TalkingThat Sinking FeelingWe talk about the history of submarine warfare with author of "The Deadly Deep" Iain Ballantyne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2018-10-1939 minSecrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current AffairsS2: Need To Know - Strikes against Syria With Iain BallantyneNEED TO KNOW: STRIKES AGAINST SYRIA WITH IAIN BALLANTYNEOn 7th April there was a chemical attack against civilians in Douma, Syria. 70 people were reportedly killed and 1,000 people suffered effects from the attack. The bombs in question were suspected to be filled with chemical munitions such as chlorine gas and Sarin.As with previous incidents of this nature, France, the UK and US governments accused the Syrian government as being responsible. French, UK and US forces launched joint strikes against targets on 14th April despite threats from the Russian government to retaliate against any strikes to their interests in Syria.On...
2018-04-2531 minSecrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current AffairsS2: Need To Know Salisbuy Poisoning, British & Russian Submarines With Iain BallantyneNEED TO KNOW: SALISBURY POISONING WITH IAIN BALLANTYNEOn Sunday 4th March, 2018, a former Russian Intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found on a bench in a catatonic state in the town of Salisbury. It has subsequently been found that the pair were poisoned.On this episode of "Need to Know" we are joined by Author Iain Ballantyne. We discuss how our submarine forces used to be a deterrent to hostile Russian military activity and how defence cuts have made us weaker in the eyes of the Kremlin.
2018-03-3033 minSecrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current AffairsS2: Submarines for espionage & trident for nuclear defence - With Iain BallantyneThe Dry CleanerCast returns after a short summer break.This month we go Nuclear on "The Dry CleanerCast". We just hope your bunker has wifi.We are joined by Iain Ballantyne, author of "Hunter Killers: The Dramatic Untold Story of the Royal Navy's Most Secret Service".We discuss the use of submarines for espionage and nuclear defense. We also dive into dangerous waters disusing the renewal of Trident, the Royal Navy's nuclear deterrent.If the podcast is not enough we have also created a submarine inspired playlist for you on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/…/…/playlist/6weE1SU0plFFxUaJiOqOEdYou can...
2017-09-221h 17Angry Planet Subscriber Feed
Angry Planet Subscriber FeedFrom loathed to loved – the deadly history of the submarineSubmarines are an accepted part of a strong navy and the cornerstone vessel of a superpower. But these stealth-killers of the ocean were once as derided and feared as the drone is now. This week on War College, former journalist and current naval historian Iain Ballantyne takes us through the history of the submarine. From the American Revolutionary War to the modern age of the nuclear triad, few weapons have been as controversial and as feared as the submarine. Find out why on this week’s episode. By Matthew Gault Produced by Bethel Habte  See acast.com...
2017-05-2431 minAngry Planet
Angry PlanetFrom loathed to loved – the deadly history of the submarineSubmarines are an accepted part of a strong navy and the cornerstone vessel of a superpower. But these stealth-killers of the ocean were once as derided and feared as the drone is now. This week on War College, former journalist and current naval historian Iain Ballantyne takes us through the history of the submarine. From the American Revolutionary War to the modern age of the nuclear triad, few weapons have been as controversial and as feared as the submarine. Find out why on this week’s episode. By Matthew Gault Produced by Bethel HabteSupport this show ht...
2017-05-2431 minAbsorb An Powerful Full Audiobook And Elevate Your Mindset.
Absorb An Powerful Full Audiobook And Elevate Your Mindset.Killing the Bismarck by Iain BallantynePlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/128560to listen full audiobooks. Title: Killing the Bismarck Author: Iain Ballantyne Narrator: Traber Burns Format: mp3 Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins Release date: 01-17-17 Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 920 ratings Genres: Germany Publisher's Summary:
2017-01-1711h 30