The federal government has given second pass approval for a project to acquire satellite terminals for deployed land forces, and upgrade existing satellite terminals and terminal monitoring and control systems. Approximately $180 million has been approved for the acquisition under JP 2008 Phase 5B.1 Military Satellite Capability – Wideband Terrestrial Infrastructure, Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews stated.

Raytheon Australia is set to provide the terminals, working with subcontractor L-3 Communications.

“The project will provide a significant increase in Defence’s satellite communications capabilities, including the first large terminals capable of adequately supporting deployed headquarters,” Minister Andrews said on March 30. “It will also upgrade existing terminals and establish networked terminal monitoring and control systems.”

This investment will significantly increase the use of the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system by the Australian Defence Force, he added.