New $927m satellite boosts defence network

The Australian Defence Force now has access to an advanced global communications network with the launch of a new satellite in the United States.

Defence Materiel Organisation chief executive Warren King said the launch from Cape Canaveral completed the constellation of six Wideband Global Satellites (WGS) under a joint US and Australian Memorandum of Understanding.

Under the deal launched in 2007, Australia funded one satellite plus associated ground infrastructure at a cost of $927 million, with the US funding the remaining five. Other nations have since joined the program.

"This partnership with the US provides the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with a high bandwidth satellite communications capability with global coverage," he said in a statement.

He said these satellites would meet the communications needs of the ADF until at least 2024.

"These satellites provide Australia with improved warfare capabilities through access to world-leading communications in terms of coverage, operational flexibility, and bandwidth," he said.