Two major defense capability projects received initial, or First Pass, approval last week to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with new deployable air traffic management and control systems and to modernize the communications capability of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) eight Anzac-class frigates.
Additionally, the government approved the consolidation of the F/A-18A/B Hornet structural refurbishment programs.
The three announcements combined will involve expenditure of between about $640.6 million and $936.3 million by the time they are completed, the government said in a statement.
The deployable air traffic management and control systems, to be acquired under Project AIR 5431 Phase 1, will enable the ADF to safely manage airspace in deployed locations, overseas or in Australia.
The air traffic management and control systems could be deployed in a range of situations including in the event of a natural disaster or to support humanitarian relief efforts.
Project AIR 5431 Phase 1 is cost-capped between approximately $98 million and $147.8 million. The government will make a final decision on approving the project during 2012-13 to 2014-15.
The new Anzac frigate communications equipment will be acquired under Project SEA 1442 Phase 4, part of a comprehensive communications modernization project for RAN ships.
The new modern systems will enable faster information transfer among Navy ships, which is essential in modern war fighting.
Project Sea 1442 Phase 4 is cost capped between approximately $295.7 million and $492.8 million. The government will make a final decision on the project in the period 2012-13 to 2014-15.
Also, the government approved-consolidation of a range of refurbishment work on the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A 18A/B Hornets into a combined program, with cost-capped expenditure between about $246.4 million and $295.7 million.
This combined program is estimated to result in savings of more than $492.8 million over the previously planned approach, but deliver the same enhanced capability result. It will also increase the operational availability of the overall fleet of classic Hornets.
The Hornets have been in service for 25 years. This consolidated program will help to ensure that the Hornets continue as a key element of the ADF’s air combat capability through to the end of this decade when they will be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter.