Australia Cancels Lockheed Martin's Military Satellite Project

November 5, 2024 | 07:09 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australia has canceled a multi-billion dollar military satellite project with Lockheed Martin. Instead, the military will shift its focus to a multi-orbit system. This was stated by the Defense Department as quoted by Reuters, Monday, November 4, 2024.

Lockheed Martin Australia was announced as the winner of the tender last year for the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite communication system, in a project that would provide Australia's first sovereign-controlled satellite communication system in the Indo-Pacific maritime region.

The satellite communication program, known as JP 9102, is projected to be worth at least $7 billion AUD ($5.3 billion USD).

"With the acceleration of space technology and evolving threats in space since the start of this project, Defense has assessed that a single-orbit GEO-based satellite communication system will not meet strategic priorities," the statement said.

"Instead of a single-orbit solution, defense must prioritize multi-orbit capabilities that enhance the resilience of the Australian Defense Force," the department stated. "Defense's satellite communication capabilities currently support the urgent needs of the organization. This decision enables Defense to prioritize emerging needs, reduce capability gaps, and continue to support our transition to an integrated and focused force," the statement said.

In a radio interview with Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that despite the increase in Australia's defense budget, his government prioritizes its purchases.

When the Lockheed Martin project was announced last year, authorities said it was a "multi-billion dollar" deal, but in Monday's Defense statement, there was no specific value for the canceled project.

However, the Defense Department stated in the announcement that they will still allocate A$9-12 billion ($13.87 billion) for space capabilities.

The news of the cancellation was reported by The Australian, which stated that the decision was based on budget issues. Following the reports, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with the Australian Broadcasting Corp. to justify the government's defense planning and spending.

"We are busy prioritizing all of our purchases in terms of defense assets. We have had a significant increase in our defense budget and we will ensure that all decisions we make are in our national interest," the prime minister said.

• 1
• 2
• Selanjutnya

Things to Do in Sydney This Weekend for the Thrill Seekers

2 hari lalu

Australia Has Already Warmed by More Than 1.5 Degrees

4 hari lalu

7 Sugar-Exporting Countries, Brazil and Australia Included

5 hari lalu

Australia, IPPIN Collaborate to Combat Plastic Waste in Indonesia

6 hari lalu

Top 8 Major Lithium-Producing Countries, Australia Ranked 1st

6 hari lalu

Prabowo's Deputy Minister Ensures Smooth Government Transition in Series of Bilateral Meetings

6 hari lalu

Top 10 Best Beaches in Australia 2024 to Swim and Surfing

9 hari lalu

10 Best Things to Do in Tasmania, All Natural Tourism

11 hari lalu

Singapore Approves Import of Solar Energy from Australia Via Undersea Cable

13 hari lalu

OJK Joins Global Asia Insurance Partnership to Bolster Regional Insurance Capacity

15 hari lalu