Minister for Defence Stephen Smith has announced that the Federal Government has given First Pass Approval for Project AIR 5431 Phase 1, which will provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with new deployable air traffic management and control systems, and for Project SEA 1442 Phase 4, to modernise the communications capability of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) eight Anzac class frigates.
The Government has also approved the consolidation of the F/A-18A/B Hornet structural refurbishment programs.
The three announcements combined will involve expenditure of between $650 million and $950 million by the time they are completed.
The deployable air traffic management and control systems, to be acquired under AIR 5431 Ph.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.
AIR 5431 Ph.1 is cost capped between $100 million and $150 million. Government will make a final decision on approval for the project in the period 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 modernisation project for RAN ships.
The acquisition is cost capped between $300 million and $500 million and a final decision on the project will be made in the period 2012-13 to 2014-15.
The consolidation of a range of refurbishment work on the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) F/A-18A/B Hornets into a combined program, with cost-capped expenditure between $250 million and $300 million, is estimated to result in savings of more than $500 million over the previously planned approach, while delivering the same enhanced capability result.
The classic Hornets have been in service for 25 years. Smith said the consolidated program would help to ensure that the Hornets continued as a key element of the ADF’s air combat capability through to the end of this decade when they would be replaced by the Joint Strike Fighter.
The Defence Minister said the consolidated refurbishment program would offer ongoing opportunities for Australian industry, with the potential to attract a skilled workforce to the Newcastle/Port Stephens region.