Babcock inaugurates defence communications system

Engineering services group Babcock Australasia has officially inaugurated the Defence High Frequency Communications System (DHFCS), providing operation, management and maintenance upgrades to support critical operations in Australia and overseas.

As the Commonwealth’s industry partner under project JP9101 (Enhanced Defence High Frequency Communications System), Babcock is supporting the existing DHFCS capability, while delivering a comprehensive technology upgrade over an initial 10-year contract period.

Partnering with Babcock’s are strategic partners Lockheed Martin Australia, Ventia, Ebor, cyber intelligence provider CyberCX and defence surveillance and electronics manufacturer Daronmont.

The $877 million programme is Babcock Australasia’s largest contract to date, set to equip the Australian Defence Force with leading-edge capability, according to a statement.

Babcock Australasia Managing Director Mission and Support Systems Brad Yelland said the JP9101 contract establishes Babcock as the largest provider of strategic High Frequency Communications in the world.

Yelland said: “The importance of effective, reliable and resilient communication in the modern threat environment cannot be understated.

“The new system will provide the ADF and its allies with an enhanced communications capability with levels of reliability and operational resilience not seen before within this technology domain.

“Through Babcock, our service men and women will have the ability to securely communicate using voice and data to almost anywhere on Earth.”

The project is creating more than 150 high-tech jobs across Australia, the majority of which are Adelaide-based at the Babcock’s new Keswick office. Staff will also be situated across regional centres including Exmouth, Wagga Wagga, Townsville, Darwin, as well as support facilities in Canberra.

At the heart of the solution is Babcock’s Intelligent Network and Serial Protocol Interface for Radio Equipment (INSPIRE), which provides a step-change in ease of upgrade and re-configuration that will ensure Australia’s EDHFCS will remain current.

In a boost to the programme, Babcock recently welcomed Mike Trenery to the team as the Babcock Australasia’s Program Director for High Frequency Communications programmes.

Trenery comes to Babcock with over 30 years of Defence experience across multiple strategic and complex programs in the communications and maritime disciplines.

Picture: Babcock/Adelaide office opening