MEDIA RELEASE
MIN 76/97 Thursday May 22, 1997
AUSTRALIA'S MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS TO BE UPGRADED
The Minister for Defence, Mr Ian McLachlan, announced today that Boeing Australia has been selected as the preferred tenderer to develop a new High Frequency Radio Communications Network System to provide for long range communications around Australia, and to ADF ships and aircraft operating in the region.
The communications system will comprise four new ground stations located in the Riverina (NSW), Townsville (QLD), Darwin (NT) and at the North West Cape (WA). The ground stations will be controlled by a network management facility at a site yet to be determined.
The new system will provide the core military communications network that will complement the widespread use by Defence of commercially provided terrestrial and satellite communications links. The system will represent a substantial increase in capability over the existing system, allowing nine currently used communications facilities to be closed down with associated savings in personnel and operating costs.
Mr McLachlan expressed pleasure at Boeing Australia's commitment to achieve about 80% Australian Industry Involvement. Major work to be done by Australia's companies includes the construction of the facilities, including antennae farms, as well as systems engineering, software adaptation, installation and testing on ships and aircraft, and through life support.
The system is planned to be operational early next century.
Further Information:
Ministerial Jim Bonner 0419 428490
Departmental Alan Wilson (06) 266 6755