CEA Technologies awarded air defence radar contract

Canberra-based company CEA Technologies will manufacture four new Air Defence radars as part of the federal government’s $2.7 billion investment in defence’s new Joint Air Battle Management System.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy welcomed the significant capability boost that the Australian designed and built radars will provide.

Conroy said: “The new sensors will be able to detect aircraft and missile threats at greater ranges and with increased accuracy than our current systems, allowing for real-time critical information to be received and affording greater warning, decision and response time.

“As a critical component of the Joint Air Battle Management System, the radars will enhance situational awareness and interoperability across the Joint Force, and with our allies.”

Conroy said the selection of the Australian developed and made radar technology illustrated the Australian Government’s commitment to maximising Australian industrial participation within Defence capability acquisition and sustainment projects.

“The contract will directly contribute to growing the CEA Technologies workforce from 530 staff to over 800 in coming years,.

“The Australian designed and built radars will use CEA Technologies’ proven Active Electronically Scanned Array radar technology.”

CEA Technologies already supplies its phased array radar systems for Royal Australian Navy ships.

Its CEAFAR Active Phased Array Radar provides a multi function Digital Beam Forming (DBF) radar performing 3D volume search, surface search, fire control support, and target classification on the RAN’s Anzac Class Frigates.

Conroy said: “The expansion of CEA Technologies into ground-based sensor applications using the same proven technologies demonstrates the strength of Australia’s defence industry.”

Picture: Defence/Radar System at CEA Technologies, Canberra

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