Defence: Pine Gap

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 11 December 2009:

1. Can the Minister confirm that deployment of elements of the United States of America’s missile defence system is progressing at Pine Gap.
2. What steps have been taken toward replacement of the Defence Support Program satellite system with a Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS).
3. Has the reported SBIRS ground station been built at Pine Gap; if so: (a) is it online; and (b) if it is not online, when is it expected to be.
4. What changes have occurred at the Pine Gap facility to accommodate the SBIRS.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable Senator’s question is as follows:

1. There has been no recent change in the support provided to the United States missile defence system by the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap. The Relay Ground Station at Pine Gap, formerly located at the Joint Defence Facility Nurrungar, has played a role in the United States’ ballistic missile early warning program for over 30 years. It collects early warning information on missile launches and nuclear explosions, thereby contributing to Australia’s non-proliferation policy.
2. While Australia cooperates on the Defense Support Program (DSP) and Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) through the activities at the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap, the capabilities are part of a wider United States monitoring system.  Both DSP and SBIRS will continue to be supported by Pine Gap.
3. There are no plans to build a ground station in support of SBIRS at Pine Gap.  The existing Relay Ground Station was designed to accept data from both DSP and SBIRS satellites.  The activities at the Pine Gap facility take place with the full knowledge and concurrence of the Australian Government.
4. As the Relay Ground Station will support both DSP and SBIRS, no changes in the Station have taken place at Pine Gap.

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