Babcock kicks off operations of vital strategic communications system
7 July 2023
Babcock Australasia has officially commenced operation of the Defence High Frequency Communications System (DHFCS), offering operation, management and maintenance upgrades for the Australian Defence Force.
As the industry partner under JP9101 – Enhanced Defence High Frequency Communications System (EDHFCS) – Babcock is leading the operations of existing capability, whilst also delivering a comprehensive technology upgrade that will equip the ADF with leading-edge capability.
The $877 million program is creating more than 150 high-tech jobs across the country, with the majority based in Adelaide at the company’s Keswick office. It is the organisation’s single largest contract to date.
Babcock’s principal partners on this strategic program include Lockheed Martin Australia, Ventia, Ebor, CyberCX and Daronmont.
Managing Director Mission and Support Systems at Babcock Australasia, Brad Yelland, explained the JP9101 contract establishes Babcock as the largest provider of strategic High Frequency Communications in the world.
“The importance of effective, reliable and resilient communication in the modern threat environment cannot be understated,” said Mr Yelland.
“The new system will provide the ADF and its allies with an enhanced communications capability with levels of reliability and operational resilience not seen before within this technology domain.
“Through Babcock, our service men and women will have the ability to securely communicate using voice and data to almost anywhere on Earth.”
