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Under the agreement, the contractor will provide operation, management, and maintenance upgrades to the existing Defence High Frequency Communications System for a 10-year period.
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Valued at $877 million, the upgraded capability will be designed to provide Australian and allied armed forces with the ability to securely communicate using voice and data in support of key regional and global military operations.
Babcock will be partnering with Lockheed Martin Australia, Ventia, Ebor, CyberCX, and Daronmont for the delivery of the program.
A company spokesperson explained the company would utilise its Intelligent Network and Serial Protocol Interface for Radio Equipment (INSPIRE) capability to upgrade and enhance the communications system.
Facilities and staff will be located across the nation, including Exmouth, Wagga Wagga, Townsville, Darwin, and Canberra, though a majority of the project will be delivered from Babcock’s Keswick office.
The contract, alongside recent high-frequency communications partnerships in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, will be expected to make Babcock the world’s largest provider of strategic high-frequency communications according to Babcock Australasia’s managing director mission and support systems, Brad Yelland.
“We’re really excited to be officially embarking on the critical High Frequency Communications Systems upgrade for the Australian Defence Force,” Yelland said.
“The importance of effective, reliable and resilient communication in the modern threat environment cannot be understated.
“The new system will provide the ADF and its allies with an enhanced communications capability with levels of reliability and operational resilience not seen before within this technology domain.
“Through Babcock, our service men and women will have the ability to securely communicate using voice and data to almost anywhere on Earth.”
The contract was announced in October 2022, forming part of the Commonwealth government’s $1.96 billion commitment to upgrading communications infrastructure across the country.
In late June, Babcock Australasia announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer.
Andrew Cridland is replacing CEO David Ruff who is retiring at the end of July after 15 years with Babcock Australasia.
Cridland has been a mainstay at Babcock in Australia and the United Kingdom since his employment began in 2015.
“I’m delighted to be taking up the role at such an exciting time for the industry. Now more than ever, what we do matters,” he said.
“I look forward to driving further success in the region (from the group’s regional head office in Adelaide, South Australia) as we continue to support our customers and build a safe and secure world, together.”
Cridland, a chartered accountant and University of Adelaide bachelor of commerce alumna, has previously been employed with Royal Dutch Shell, the Australian Submarine Corporation, and Greencap, formerly owned by Wesfarmers.
