Boeing’s Murray Brabrook (left) signs the $200 million Project SEA1442 Phase 5 Maritime Warfighter Network contract with Defence. Photo: BDA.
Brisbane-based Boeing Defence Australia has been selected by Defence to provide a new communications system for the Royal Australian Navy.
Based on its successful Australian-designed and manufactured Currawong Integrated Battlefield Telecommunications Network (IBTN) the company provided to the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force under Project LAND 2072 Phase 2B, Boeing’s Maritime Warfighter Network will be provided under Project SEA1442 Phase 5.
The new $200 million contract will create more than 50 jobs, primarily in the Brisbane area with Boeing and project partner BMT, and builds on Defence’s investment of more than $150 million in Australian-made satellite communications terminals for Navy vessels.
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said the upgrades would enhance the Navy’s ability to conduct operational tasks, such as surveillance and multi-domain strike.
“This shows the government is ensuring our ADF personnel have access to a modern communication system that makes them better prepared to safeguard Australians and their interests,” he said.
“With this investment the government is making Australia safer while providing financial security to dozens of families by creating more than 50 new jobs.”
Boeing Defence Australia’s Joint Systems director, Murray Brabrook said the system was a resilient, interoperable communications system that would seamlessly connect ships and other joint and coalition assets without the constraint of routing all communication paths back to Australia.
“Automation will provide Navy with the ability to easily use various communication transmission devices, reducing operator workload and enhancing operational effectiveness when deployed at sea,” he said.
“We look forward to delivering Navy a low-risk, secure networking system for their deployed assets, as we have done for the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force through the Integrated Battlefield Telecommunications Network (IBTN).”
Regional business director APAC for BMT, Graeme Nayler said BMT would leverage its capabilities in managing system integration across the maritime domain.
“This project displays our commitment to partnering to build stronger capability for our customers,” he said.
“Having supported similar projects across the Australian naval fleet, we are experts at integrating complex systems into maritime platforms that will stand up to the rigours of sea deployment.”
Boeing says it has one of the largest military communications-focused engineering workforces in Australia who will continually evolve the Australian-made communications technology to meet changing demands.
“Navy will be able to contribute to and benefit from this enduring evolution,” Mr Brabrook said. “When combined with BMT’s expertise, we are positioned to accelerate delivery of a mature product to Navy.”
Installation on the first ship is anticipated to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, with all eight ships under the contract expected to be completed by mid-2029.
