The Commonwealth has finally made the official announcement regarding a contract worth up to $1.4 billlion for the next tranche of Army's battlespace communications system.
Land 200 Tranche 2 contract notices concerning limited tenders to Harris Communications and Elbit Systems totalling $763.8 million were published on Austender in September.
Harris Communications Australia will deliver the tactical communications network, including encrypted radios, and Elbit Systems of Australia will enhance the Battle Management System (BMS) software, which tracks ADF units, delivered under Land 200 Tranche 1.
Land 200 is made up of various phases of three projects, JP 2072, Land 75, and Land 125, and is delivering capability throughout Defence in tranches that commenced in 2011 and are expected to be completed between 2021-2022.
The latest tranche will complete deliveries of equipment rolled out under earlier phases to the remainder of Defence and provide technical refresh of equipment previously delivered in Tranche 1 and 2.
Harris Communications was announced as the preferred tenderer for the JP 2072 (Land 2072) Phase 3 component of the program in April 2016. Harris will provide an integrated tactical communications network for voice and data services to tactical forces over line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight applications. The solution will include tactical radios and other systems and technology from Harris as well as partner companies. Boeing Defence Australia will sub-contract to Harris during the phase, a reversal of their roles under JP 2072 Phase 2B.
Under Project Land 75 Elbit Systems has been providing the BMS, which will continued to be rolled out to Army units and integrated into additional vehicle platforms under Tranche 2.