CANBERRA, Australia, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Australia's Department of Defense has chosen Selex ES Ltd. to acquire and support new communications systems for Royal Australian Navy frigates.
The work, under two contracts, carries a combined value of more than $204 million ($185 million U.S.).
"The SEA1442 Phase 4 acquisition contract, valued at nearly $188 million [$170.42 million U.S.], will deliver a significant improvement to the communications capability through an integrated system, including new radio and switching systems, secure voice and tactical communications system, and a communications management system," Defense Minister David Johnston said.
"This new system will allow high speed networking of ships within a task group as well as more efficient and effective communications from ship to shore, and is a design that is used by the United States, Canadian and the Royal Navies."
The second contract, with a performance period of five years and a value of nearly $16.29 million ($14.77 million U.S.), is for logistics, supply, training, engineering and maintenance support services.
The Royal Australian Navy's eight ANZAC-class frigates are to receive the new equipment.
