Defence cancels GEO satellite comms tender

Defence has cancelled a multi-billion dollar tender process for a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite communications system that Lockheed Martin was set to build.

Image credit: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin was last year announced as preferred partner for the project - codenamed JP9102 - which was meant to deliver “Australia’s first sovereign-controlled satellite communication system”.

But Defence said that advancements in satellite communications systems, together with the threat landscape, had necessitated a change of direction.

“With the acceleration in space technologies and evolving threats in space since the project’s commencement, Defence has assessed that a single orbit GEO-based satellite communications system would not meet strategic priorities,” it said in a statement.

“As such, Defence has decided to cease its current procurement activity with Lockheed Martin Australia for a single orbit GEO-based satellite communications system.

“Instead of a single orbit solution, Defence must instead prioritise a multi-orbit capability increasing resilience for the Australian Defence Force.”

Defence said its existing satellite communications support its “immediate needs”.

“This decision allows Defence to prioritise emerging needs, mitigate capability gaps and continue to support our transition to an integrated, focused force,” it added.