Race for Australia’s Next-Generation Battlefield Communications Heats Up
Project Currawong SATCOM trailer. (Boeing Australia)
Australia’s defence industry is gearing up for a high-stakes competition to secure a contract worth potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to build and maintain the Army’s new battlefield communications network. This program, known as Land 4140, is being touted as “the biggest thing in town regarding comms” and is expected to shape the military’s communications infrastructure for years to come.
The Australian military is set to launch the formal competition early next year, with a request for tender anticipated by the second quarter of 2025. Industry heavyweights like Boeing Australia, Hanwha Defence Australia, L3Harris, Leidos, and Lockheed Martin are all closely monitoring the project. Boeing, known for its work on the Currawong tactical radio program, believes its experience gives it an edge. However, the competition remains fierce.
Hanwha Defence Australia is one of several companies actively tracking Land 4140. A spokesperson for the company acknowledged the significance of the program but offered no additional details. Despite the tight-lipped responses, it’s clear that defence firms are positioning themselves for a chance to secure this lucrative contract.
In June 2022, the Australian military released a request for information (RFI) related to Land 4140, also known as the Land C4 Modernisation Project or LC4 Program. The initiative aims to modernize and enhance communications and command systems, ensuring decision-making superiority and improving command and control, intelligence, sensors, and weapon systems across the Joint Land Force. Earlier this week, the military called on defence companies to express interest in Tranche 1 of the project, with technology delivery expected between 2025 and 2030.
Unlike traditional defence contracts, where a prime contractor designs and builds the system, the government is adopting a different approach for Land 4140. Due to the software-heavy nature of modern communications systems and the need to stay ahead of cyber and electronic warfare threats, the Australian military is seeking a “program integration partner.” This partner will work alongside a panel to manage continuous upgrades and ensure the system remains cutting-edge.
Boeing Australia’s senior IT and cyber executive, Darcy Rawlinson, emphasized the complexity and scope of the project, which spans all levels of communication from frontline soldiers to large-scale joint task force operations and field hospitals.
“They’re looking for a company that has the pedigree, the relationships, the right behaviours, the right experience, and the right capabilities to partner with them over the next 10 years to effectively build the next generation of networks,” Rawlinson explained.
With the competition still in its early stages, industry players are awaiting further details before committing to bids. However, one thing is certain: Land 4140 will be a defining program in shaping Australia’s military communications for the foreseeable future.
