The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is now using Inmarsat’s satellites for its operations following an AUS$221 million contract.
As a virtual satellite operator, the ADF is able to control its service use directly. Inmarsat says it has enabled the ADF to increase efficiency by 300 percent while reducing operating costs by 70 percent.
Brigadier Gregory Novak, Commander of the ADF’s Defence Strategic Communications Branch, said:
“Inmarsat has supported ADF satellite communications requirements at home and overseas for over 30 years.
This partnership has increased our capability to support wide-ranging ADF operations and provide greatly improved quality of life services for our deployed people.”
The AUS$221 million contract extension will ensure ADF benefits from Inmarsat’s satellite connectivity for at least the next decade.
Todd McDonell, President of Global Government at Inmarsat, commented:
“The Australian Defence Force is known the world over for its capability, reliability, and the ability to get the job done regardless of the challenges encountered. Inmarsat has always been and continues to be committed to the same high-quality standards to which the ADF holds itself.
Inmarsat’s services supporting the ADF across the Army, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force can be relied on at any latitude, longitude, and altitude.”
Inmarsat and the ADF initially signed a relatively basic partnership in 2017 but, over the years, have clearly built trust which has led to a significant deepening of their collaboration. Now, the ADF is using a full Inmarsat Managed Service.
The complete Inmarsat Managed Service used by the ADF offers:
- Access to the Operational Monitoring and Control System (OMCS), which allows Defence to act as a virtual satellite operator, independently assigning bandwidth amongst the fleet and monitoring bandwidth in real time.
- Crew Quality of Life system which provides bandwidth for Crew Welfare services and has led to a 70% reduction in operating costs onboard the ships with the solution, coupled with an increase in efficiency and crew morale.
- Hardware.
- Software.
- 24/7 service and support.
- Training.
- Leasing services.
- Operational and Safety data.
- Defence Restricted Network Access.
A dedicated management software package called the Operational Monitoring and Control System (OMCS) has been developed over the past three years with defence requirements at its core.
OMCS provides the ADF with a fully-sovereign virtual satellite operations centre. Using OMCS, the ADF can allocate resources, track usage, and implement operational changes in real-time as required.
OMCS will now enter the “sustainment and enhancement” term of the contract which will run through to 2027.
(Image Credit: Inmarsat)
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