ADF to get $500m electronic warfare boost

The federal government has approved a $500 million joint project to improve the Australian Defence Force’s electronic warfare capabilities.

The Electronic Warfare Operations Support for Maritime and Land Forces project will involve the installation of electronic warfare equipment and infrastructure to help naval ships and army units deal with emerging threats.

The project will build on the Electronic Warfare Operations Support systems already in place for the ADF’s air forces.

Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said around three-quarters of the $500 million project cost will be spent locally.

“Australian companies BAE Systems Australia and Ultra Electronics Avalon Systems will deliver the major equipment to support deploying navy and army units,” he said.

“In a boost for the Australian economy, a new facility will also be built within the Edinburgh Defence precinct in South Australia to house laboratories, simulation equipment and testing support systems.”

Defence Minister Marise Payne said the new systems will help prepare the ADF to conduct operations in areas with advanced threats such as guided missiles. Many of the support systems will be portable and capable of deployment within Australian military training areas.

Image courtesy of U.S. Army CERDEC under CC