OTTAWA -- General Dynamics Canada, along with its Australian partners ADI Limited and Tenix Defence, has been selected by the Commonwealth of Australia as the Preferred Prime System Integrator for the first phase of the Battlespace Communications System (Land) project, referred to as JP 2072 valued at AUS$97 (US$74) million.

The project has a potential value of AUS$800 (US$608) million if all options are exercised. General Dynamics Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. JP 2072 will provide the Australian Land Force with a deployable, scalable, secure and integrated battlespace communications system that allows ground forces to exchange information across all combat elements, improving soldiers` safety and their ability to accomplish their missions.

The system will meet the existing and emerging information exchange requirements of command support, intelligence, offensive fire, logistics, ground-based air defence and sensor-linked weapon systems. John Watts, president of General Dynamics Canada, said, "The Commonwealth`s selection of the General Dynamics Canada-led team for the critical JP 2072 project delivers the best of two worlds for the Australian Defence Forces: it capitalizes on the extensive experience of General Dynamics in deploying systems of similar scale and complexity, and takes full advantage of the capabilities of Australia`s largest defence companies, ADI and Tenix Defence."

"General Dynamics looks forward to providing an advanced communications system that will be designed largely by Australians, to meet the unique requirements of the Australian Defence Forces, and to support the critically important missions of the ADF," Watts said. As the focal point of General Dynamics` JP 2072 program and engineering management efforts, the company has established a new entity, General Dynamics Systems Australia, in Canberra. As subsequent phases of the program emerge, the new Australia-based organization will grow to include the engineering capabilities and integration facilities necessary to progressively update and support JP 2072 and associated projects while meeting the objectives of Australia`s Defence Electronics Sector Plan.

General Dynamics Canada has a long history of integrating tactical battlefield communications systems for major defence customers around the world. As prime system integrator for the Canadian Army`s Iris tactical communications system, General Dynamics Canada deployed the world`s first digital voice and data secure communications system. General Dynamics Canada went on to successfully capture the UK`s Bowman battlefield communications programme. In addition, the company supports teams led by other General Dynamics units on several key U.S. battlefield communication system programs, including the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) and the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Cluster 5 effort.

ADI Limited`s managing director, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, said, "ADI is pleased to be a member of the General Dynamics team that will deliver to the ADF the most advanced battlespace communication system. ADI is ready to utilise our systems and related capabilities to benefit this important project and we look forward to the effective and sustainable partnership that JP 2072 will bring." ADI is Australia`s largest defence company, with over 2,500 employees. Tenix Defence CEO Robert Salteri welcomed the announcement, saying Tenix was committed to working with General Dynamics Canada and ADI to deliver a world-class battlefield communications capability for the ADF.

"Our involvement consolidates our development as a broad-based systems company, developing and supporting strong relationships with key international and local partners," Salteri said. Tenix is a broad based, Australian owned systems company, which operates primarily in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region with offices in the United States and United Kingdom. Tenix Defence operates in the naval, aerospace, land and electronic system sectors, generates $600 million in annual revenue and employs 2500 staff. General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 70,800 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of $19.

2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation.

General Dynamics Canada
03.10.2005

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