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The global communications provider has delivered high-frequency radio equipment to the island nation under the Vanuatu-Australia Defence Cooperation Program.
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Barrett Communications has supplied the Republic of Vanuatu with new high-frequency (HF) radio communications equipment to replace an existing 20-year-old Barrett HF system.
“We supplied our latest system about 20 years ago but as with all technology, HF radio has come a long way in that time,” Martin Johnson, Barrett’s business development director, said.
Specifically, Vanuatu has been supplied with the Barrett 4050 HF Software Defined Radio (SDR), designed to support and enhance the Vanuatu Police presence and disaster management programs across the island nation.
According to Barrett’s business development director, the Barrett 4050 offers the operators greater quality audio through the Digital Voice (DV) and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) options.
The ALE automates the frequency selection when linking of multiple stations to “ensure the best quality audio”, while the DV removes “white noise” associated with older style HF radio.
“All of these features enable the operator to use the equipment with minimal training and allow them to focus on the job at hand,” Johnson added.
Delivery of the HF equipment forms part of an inter-island project under the Vanuatu-Australia Defence Cooperation Program, which aims to repair and upgrade the country’s national government emergency radio network.
Following the announcement of the joint initiative in October, Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds commented, “Australia is proud to partner with the Vanuatu Police Force to design and deliver an enduring solution that meets Vanuatu’s needs.
“The project provides an invaluable avenue for enhanced collaboration, training and interoperability between our nations – including during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.”
Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau, added, “The project supports Vanuatu’s National Security Strategy and decentralisation efforts, connecting communities, and delivering security services to rural areas,” Minister Kalsakau said.
“It also supports our border security efforts, particularly important in the current COVID-19 environment.
“We know that good communication in the minutes and hours following a disaster is critical to an effective and speedy response.”
The Deputy Prime Minister concluded, “This is yet another example of how Vanuatu and Australia can work together as security partners to deliver practical benefits for both nations.”
[Related: Government to help bolster Vanuatu’s emergency radio network]
