Close combat units within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will be better equipped to defeat enemy forces on the battlefield following the introduction of new leading edge communications.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said Defence has awarded a $13 million contract to Marconi Australia to supply about 6000 handheld personal radios for soldiers in the five regular infantry battalions, the School of Infantry, cavalry reconnaissance scouts and the Combat Training Centre.

The contract is part of a $35 million package of equipment for the Army under Project LAND 125 to provide soldiers with a range of combat equipment including thermal weapon sights, helmets and personal protective padding.

Senator Hill said the package will improve the fighting capability and safety of the Army's regular infantry battalions in future combat operations.

"The new equipment will improve the lethality, survivability and command and control capabilities of infantry soldiers and cavalry reconnaissance scouts," Senator Hill said.

"The new radios will ensure more effective communications between individual soldiers. This capability has been proven on recent operations to improve situational awareness and security within small teams.

"The radios will be delivered early this year and will contribute to the Hardened and Networked Army objectives announced last year."

Following an extensive evaluation process, the Marconi Personal Role Radio was selected to provide the Soldier Personal Radios. The evaluation process included field testing by soldiers of the 3 Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

The current phase of Project Land 125 was approved in February 2005, to enable the first of a planned series of enhancements to Army's close combat capability.

Senator Hill said the Howard Government has given a long-term commitment to provide the ADF with the necessary equipment and support to safely carry out the operations that are asked of them. This project is another example of the Government delivering on this commitment.

Australian DoD
20.01.2006