Government announces HF comms contract with Babcock

Defence and Babcock have signed a contract to provide the Australian Defence Force with “an enhanced high-frequency communications system” to support regional and global operations.

In a short statement from defence industry minister Pat Conroy on Friday, the news was called “a major boost to Defence’s strategic high-frequency communications capability”.

Conroy said the federal government would spend $1.96 billion on upgrading communications equipment and facilities across Australia, building a new communication site near Darwin, and establishing a software development centre in Adelaide.

“In partnership with Babcock Pty Ltd, Defence will grow and strengthen Australian industry’s high-frequency communications capacity, further developing workforce skills, knowledge and expertise that are central to delivering this leading-edge capability,” Conroy said.

“This will complement Defence’s investment in secure and resilient satellite communications to support our soldiers, sailors and aviators on operations at home and abroad.”

Picture credit: Babcock Australasia