This week’s federal budget includes nearly $2 billion for new Defence communications tech. 

The government has announced $1.96 billion in spending on an Australian Defence Force communications upgrade, including a contract for an “enhanced high-frequency communications system”. 

The spending will also cover a new communication site near Darwin, and a software development centre in Adelaide.  

“In partnership with Babcock, Defence will grow and strengthen Australian industry’s high-frequency communications capacity, further developing workforce skills, knowledge and expertise that are central to delivering this leading-edge capability,” federal industry minister Pat Conroy says.

“This will complement Defence’s investment in secure and resilient satellite communications to support our soldiers, sailors and aviators on operations at home and abroad.

“Australia and our international partners will use these latest advances in command and control methods over the coming decades,” he concluded.