Australia extends military satcom contract with Intelsat

The ADF ultra-high frequency payload that was launched onboard Intelsat 22 in 2012. (Intelsat)

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has awarded a contract worth AUD180 million (USD116.2 million) to SES subsidiary Intelsat to extend existing satellite communications (satcom) services being procured for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The contract will extend ultra-high frequency (UHF) satcom services being provided by Intelsat since 2012 “until at least 2033, with options to extend further if possible”, the DoD announced on 21 November.

Intelsat launched a UHF payload for the ADF onboard its Intelsat 22 (IS-22) satellite in 2012. The satellite was initially intended to be operational until 2027.

The DoD said that IS-22 provides secure and uninterrupted communications that allow ADF personnel to co-ordinate and operate, often in remote and challenging environments.

Under the new contract, the DoD will be able to relocate the satellite, and acquire logistics, training, and operational support from Intelsat to ensure multidomain connectivity – across land, sea, and air – for the ADF, the DoD added.

The DoD added that Intelsat will also establish a new “antenna facility” in Australia to enhance IS-22 UHF satcom services to the ADF. The construction of this facility is expected to start in 2026, the DoD said.

Michael Hunt, assistant secretary at the DoD's space systems branch, said that in addition to providing secure communications, the contract will enable the ADF to remain interoperable with allies and strengthen “sovereign control of critical communications capability”.

According to Janes data, IS-22 is a geostationary (GEO) satellite built by Boeing and positioned at 72.1° E over the Indian Ocean. The UHF payload in this satellite has 18 25 kHz channels and can operate in 292.835–317.33 MHz and 243.52–268.16 MHz bands.