Page 14 - Australian Defence Magazine November 2022

14 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
NOVEMBER 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
BABCOCK TO UPGRADE HIGH FREQUENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
THE ADF’s Defence High Frequency Communications System (DHFCS) is set for a major capability upgrade under a 10- year program to be delivered by Babcock Australasia (Babcock).
The new contract will see Babcock lead the operation and support of the existing HF capability, while delivering a compre- hensive technology upgrade program over the initial 10-year contract period.
Commencing in October 2023 under
the JP9101 – Enhanced Defence High Frequency Communications System (EDHFCS) program, the new system will provide Australian and allied armed forces with the ability to securely communicate using voice and data from almost any location across the globe.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Con- roy said the Government would invest $1.96 billion dollars to upgrade commu- nications equipment and facilities across
LEFT: Tony Burger, Belinda Templeman, David Ruff and Andrew Cridland.
Australia, build a new communication site near Darwin, and establish a software de- velopment centre in Adelaide.
“In partnership with Babcock, Defence will grow and strengthen Australian in- dustry’s high-frequency communications capacity, further developing workforce skills, knowledge and expertise that are central to delivering this leading-edge ca- pability,” Minister Conroy said.
“This will complement Defence’s in- vestment in secure and resilient satellite communications to support our soldiers, sailors and aviators on operations at home and abroad.
“Australia and our international part- ners will use these latest advances in com- mand and control methods over the com- ing decades.”
“Having a communications capability that can work seamlessly with the ADF and its allies is essential requirement for military operations,” David Ruff, Bab- cock’s CEO Australasia, said.
US APPROVES MAJOR MH-
60R SUSTAINMENT SALE
THE US State Department has approved the sale of MH-60R sustainment items and services to Australia for an estimated cost of US$162 million.
“The Government of Australia has requested to buy additional non-MDE MH-60R sustainment items and services that will be added to a previously implemented case. The original FMS case, valued at $89.8 million, included MH-60R sustainment. The estimated total cost is $162 million,” the State Department said.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring
RIGHT: A flying stations evolutions team prepares an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter for flight.
peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self- defence capability.
“The proposed sale will continue Australia’s capability to interoperate with U.S. forces by maintaining alignment with the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R program and maintain mission readiness to deter regional threats and strengthen its homeland defence. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment
and services into its armed forces.” In September, the US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to produce an additional 12 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the RAN. The new aircraft will add a third ‘Romeo’ squadron to the
RAN’s Fleet Air Arm.
Sikorsky Aircraft Australia (a Lockheed
Martin company) in Nowra, New South Wales, currently provides depot level maintenance, supply support and logistics support for Australia’s MH-60R helicopter fleet. ■
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