Defence has removed Project JP2008 Phase 5B2, Satellite Ground Station – East and Wideband Satellite Communications Network Management Systems, from its Projects of Concern list.
“The removal of projects from the Projects of Concern list is proof that our focused effort to get projects back on track is working," said the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy.
JP2008 Phase 5B2 was listed by Defence in May 2023 citing technical integration issues with the Network Management System (NMS). Through the project, Northrop Grumman Australia has been contracted to deliver new satellite ground stations at Kapooka and a Wideband Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Network Management System.
The Kapooka ground station was used operationally for the first time in December 2024. It will serve as Defence's SATCOM gateway for activities on Australia's east coast, with dishes positioned to contact military satellites including Optus' C1 and the US Space Force's Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites.
“I have now held eight Projects of Concern summits in less than three years as Minister, bringing industry and Defence together to drive better outcomes for our defence force and Australians," Conroy added.