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Defence cancels JP9102, ‘reprioritises’ SATCOMS capability
Defence has cancelled Joint Project 9102 Ph.1, the $6.9 billion Australian Defence Satellite Communications System which it awarded in April last year to Lockheed Martin Australia. It hasn’t said what might replace the capability, nor when it might enter service.
As reported at the time in EX2, JP9102 was intended to provide the ADF with a sovereign military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) system defined by its extensibility, agility and resilience.
Defence said at the time that Lockheed Martin Australia would progress to the next stage of the Defence procurement process, which included engaging in collaborative tender clarification and improvement activities. The company intended to leverage its deep experience in space-based mission solutions and resilient satellite communications networks for its JP9102 offer.
Lockheed Martin Australia’s JP9102 bid defeated rival bids from four other defence primes: Airbus Defence & Space, Boeing Defence Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia and Optus. The new SATCOM system was intended to include:
- New Defence-controlled and -operated geo-stationary communications satellites based on a proprietary LM designe
- Multiple ground stations across Australia
- Integrated Satellite Communications Management System
- Two new satellite communications operations centres
It would provide a jam and hack-resistant network supporting Tactical Datalinks and other voice and data communications for ADF operations and targeting.
However, 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.
Therefore Defence has decided to cease its current procurement activity with Lockheed Martin Australia for JP9102. Instead of a single orbit (geostationary) solution, Defence says it will instead prioritise a multi-orbit capability, presumably to include Low and Medium Earth Orbits (LEO and MEO), increasing resilience for the ADF.
However, The Australian newspaper reports that at least part of the reason the project has been cancelled is cost: there is no money in the defence budget to pay for it. Last year the Australian government also cancelled a $1.2 billion civil-military space-based surveillance program to monitor both natural and defence threats.
Its current satellite communications capabilities support the immediate needs of the organisation, Defence said in a statement. This decision allows Defence to prioritise emerging needs, mitigate capability gaps and continue to support our transition to an integrated, focused force.
As outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy, Defence requires space capabilities that enhance Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), provide resilient communications and counter emerging space threats. The Integrated Investment Program (IIP) included some $9-$12 billion to invest in enhanced space capabilities.