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Australia is set to enhance its sub-surface tracking capability with a new WA-built Maritime Underwater Tracking Range, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has announced.
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Defence has announced it will invest $300 million in the development of a new Maritime Underwater Tracking Range to be built in Western Australia, as part of the federal government’s $270 billion commitment to enhance defence capability over the next decade.
The new system, which will replace the original range that ceased operating in 2012, is expected to provide the Royal Australian Navy with enhanced sub-surface tracking capability in preparation for a future response, by leveraging a series of sensors to capture and relay information on the location and movement of assets operating within the tracking field.
“By investing in technology which will strengthen our understanding of the best and most effective way to use our weapons, decoys and platforms, we are enabling our submarines and other maritime warfighting capabilities to operate with superiority while protecting Australia’s interests,” Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said.
“Similar to a three-dimensional laboratory, the range will allow our Navy, our allies and partners to fine tune our anti-submarine warfare tactics to deliver the technology edge needed in the future."
Minister Reynolds added that delivery of the new sovereign capability would provide Australian industry with opportunities to participate in the installation and ongoing sustainment of the range.
Defence stated that the new commitment would also provide Australian industry, academia, research and innovation sectors, with longer term opportunities to develop sovereign advanced signal processing, anti-submarine and unmanned system capabilities.
A tender process will be undertaken by Defence to identify industry partners to deliver the new Maritime Underwater Tracking Range in Western Australia, with information to be released through AusTender.
[Related: Defence denies cost blowout cover-up for Future Subs program]
