The OneSKY project, a $4.1 billion air traffic control consolidation initiative, has been granted permission to move forward with caution, ahead of the forthcoming federal Budget and Defence Strategic Review. 

The project has been reinstated on the Department of Defence's Projects of Concern list by the Labor government. In an effort to promote project transparency, defence industry minister Pat Conroy says he has been keeping a close eye on the merged control tower systems program.

OneSKY aims to replace two outdated air traffic control systems with a single civil-military air traffic management system (known as CMATS) and is initially scheduled to be up and running by July. 

While no new dates have been announced, previous best estimates have pushed the switchover date until at least 2025. 

Mr Conroy recently convened a Projects of Concern Summit in Canberra to discuss progress made towards remediating the Civil-Military Air Traffic Management System (OneSKY-CMATS) project.

“The Albanese government is revitalising Defence's Projects of Concern process, bringing senior stakeholders from government and industry together to remediate listed projects,” said Conroy's office in a statement. 

The summit was a significant effort to redeem OneSKY following Labor's criticism of actions under the previous defence minister, Marise Payne, who removed the contentious amalgamation from the Projects of Concern list when in opposition.

Thales Australia's CEO, Jeff Connolly, and senior officials from Defence, Infrastructure, and Airservices Australia participated in the summit, discussing progress made towards remediating the project. 

The pressure to get new air space control systems operational without issues has never been greater, the government says. With the AUKUS alliance now well underway and a heightened operational level in the north of Australia, the country is dealing with frequent United States Air Force visits by long-range B-52 bombers and new cross-force air-to-air refuelling interoperability.

“We are bringing new energy and senior attention to remediating Defence projects that are facing difficulties and delays, delivering on our commitment to hold regular Projects of Concern summits,” Mr Conroy said. 

“The CMATS project is delivering one of the most advanced air traffic control systems in the world, and I am pleased to see a strong commitment from all parties involved to get it back on track. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Defence, Thales, and Airservices Australia, providing leadership and oversight, to ensure the Australian Defence Force receives the capability it needs.”