In May 2025 the US defence analyst and publisher of Second Line of Defense visited C2 Robotics headquarters. Robbin has been an early and passionate advocate for employing autonomous systems as part of integrated kill webs. He’s followed the development of C2 Robotics’ Speartooth Large Uncrewed Underwater Vessel with a keen interest so it was fantastic to finally be able to host him. He was accompanied by Michael Shoebridge, founder of the Australian think tank, Strategic Analysis Australia.
Robbin wrote up his visit in a piece on the Second Line of Defense website. There’s a lot of insights there ranging from the design philosophy behind Speartooth to the kind of industrial basis Australia needs in our complex strategic environment. Here’s an excerpt:
“The key is recognizing that the world has changed fundamentally. The comfortable assumptions of the post-Cold War era — American dominance, rules-based order, predictable threats — are breaking down. In this new environment, the ability to adapt quickly becomes more valuable than having the most exquisite platforms.
What emerges from this discussion is a vision of defense transformation that goes far beyond new weapons systems. It’s about creating an adaptive ecosystem that can evolve with changing technology and strategic circumstances.
This isn’t science fiction or distant future thinking — it’s happening now.
The autonomous revolution offers Australia a chance to achieve greater security, strategic independence, and industrial sovereignty simultaneously.
But it requires abandoning comfortable assumptions about how defense systems are developed, manufactured, and employed. In a world where the pace of change is accelerating, the biggest risk may be standing still.”
For the full piece on the SLD website click here.