Babcock International has been selected by the government as the preferred tenderer to upgrade and sustain the Defence High Frequency Communication System (DHFCS) to support the Australian armed forces over the next 10 years, with a further four extension options, each of two years.
Babcock Australasia will collaborate with Lockheed Martin Australia, and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), to deliver an upgraded system which provides effective long-range communications capability for Australia’s land sea and air assets. The result is expected to be a "robust sovereign solution that provides the ADF with a performance edge across its operations".
Building on the company’s Defence High Frequency Communications experience in the UK and New Zealand, Babcock says this contract reinforces its core capabilities in delivering "technology-led, cutting-edge solutions to support complex electronic defence programmes".
“I am absolutely delighted that we have been selected as preferred tenderer for this internationally significant capability programme for the Australian Government," David Lockwood, Chief Executive, Babcock International said. "Babcock has a strategic and expanding role in providing these critical services to three of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance partners, where interoperability and interchangeability are becoming vital.
“This selection reinforces confidence in our ability to grow our defence business in target international markets, and to build on Babcock’s capability in digital defence, an area of increasing importance to our global customers.
“Fit for today and ready for tomorrow, our collaborative approach will deliver a secure, resilient and advanced high-frequency communications solution for the ADF.”
Babcock will now enter a period of commercial discussions, and pending a final Australian Government decision, will achieve formal contract award.