Govt funds comms for Navy, Wi-Fi for evacuation centres

The Australian Government has announced it is upgrading communication systems on Royal Australian Navy ships under a $200 million program with Boeing Defence Australia. The investment will create more than 50 local jobs primarily in Brisbane, which will be home to the main hub for design and development work for this project.

The contract will deliver a state-of-the-art secure and interoperable communications system, known as the Maritime Warfighter Network — a resilient, interoperable communications system that will seamlessly connect ships and other joint and coalition assets without the constraint of routing all communication paths back to Australia. It builds on the government’s previous investment of more than $150 million in Australian-made satellite communications terminals for Navy vessels.

“These upgrades enhance Navy’s ability to conduct operational tasks, such as surveillance and multi-domain strike,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery. “This shows the Albanese government is ensuring our ADF personnel have access to a modern communication system that makes them better prepared to safeguard Australians and their interests.

“With this investment, the Albanese government is making Australia safer while providing financial security to dozens of families by creating more than 50 new jobs.”

The government is also prioritising safety for natural disaster-prone communities, with an additional $14 million to extend critical community Wi-Fi services at evacuation centres across Australia. The Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program has already installed NBN Co Sky Muster satellite connections to 1068 locations Australia-wide; the additional $14 million will add community Wi-Fi capability to a further 500 emergency sites, and extend services at existing sites for an additional four years beyond 2025.

The government said it will work closely with states and territories to prioritise disaster-prone areas that do not have emergency connectivity solutions to ensure this investment delivers where it is most needed.

“The safety of Australians is the number one priority of the Albanese government — particularly during natural disasters, which are becoming more frequent and severe,” said Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland.

“Sky Muster satellite internet services can operate off a portable generator even when local ground-based communications networks are down — keeping communities connected when they need it most.”

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