Thales awarded contract for supply of SATCOM equipment to Australia

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, today announced that the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance has selected Thales Australia Limited as the preferred supplier for satellite communications (SATCOM) equipment for the Hobart Class destroyers. “The AWD will go to sea with a communications system that will not only meet the operational needs of a modern warship, but also allows the ship’s crew to keep in touch with family and friends via email and internet services,” Mr Combet said. “Satellite communications are key to the operation of the AWDs. This system will provide world-wide coverage of high-speed broadband for multiple users for both voice and data services. The system also includes equipment critical to meeting safety at sea obligations. “The AWD Alliance, which comprises the Defence Materiel Organisation, ASC and Raytheon, has selected a solution that combines modern, proven technology and value for money. “The AWD system incorporates equipment from leading SATCOM suppliers including ViaSat, SITEP and Thrane & Thrane. Some of this equipment is already deployed on RAN warships and this commonality will result in efficiencies in both training and maintenance support. “Thales Australia will be undertaking design and fabrication work at its Garden Island facility in Sydney before installing the equipment on the AWDs at Techport Australia in Adelaide.” The contract is worth about $9 million and will support 20 jobs. The AWD project is on track to deliver the first AWD, HMAS Hobart, in December 2014.