Rohde & Schwarz Australia Secures Hunter class Frigate Communications Contract

03 September 2024

Hunter class frigate (image: The Australian)

Rohde & Schwarz Australia will deliver integrated communication and control systems into the first batch of three Hunter class frigates, the Australian variant of the BAE Systems-designed and built Global Combat Ship.

NAVICS will be the central nervous system of the Hunter frigate’s communications system, providing integrated and reliable internal and external communications and the processing classified information, within a multi-level security environment.

Rohde & Schwarz has operated in Australia for more than 40 years, establishing a sovereign integrated communications system (ICS) and service delivery capability in Australia. This has been further enhanced through technology and knowledge transfer from its parent company in Germany.

Rohde & Schwarz Australia’s workforce has already doubled to deliver on engineering services for the design and manufacture of the ICS and will continue to grow with support of the Hunter program. The company will work closely with BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA) to maximize opportunities for Australian industry to assist in the manufacture, integration, testing, and commissioning of the ICS.

Rohde & Schwarz Australia Managing Director Gareth Evans said this contract is a clear validation of the highly collaborative working relationship established between Rohde & Schwarz, BAESMA, and the Commonwealth.

“This confirmation of Rohde & Schwarz Australia as Communications System Integrator is testament to the dedication and hard work of our project team since we first began work to provide early engineering services for the design and manufacture of the ICS more than five years ago.

“With our resilient local capacity to innovate, develop and deliver communication systems we are a trusted partner to both the Commonwealth and BAESMA, underpinning the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priority of Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment.”

Craig Lockhart, Managing Director of BAESMA welcomed the contract with Rohde & Schwarz Australia: “We are pleased to work alongside the Rohde & Schwarz team and our industry partners in delivering the most capable anti-submarine warfare in service of the Royal Australian Navy.

“In harnessing world class industry capability, we will ensure that the Royal Australian Navy continues to be equipped with what it needs to fight and win at sea.”

Rohde & Schwarz Vice President R&D Technology Systems Wolfgang Marchl said the selection of NAVICS proves yet again the independent company is optimally equipped to support large naval programs throughout the complete lifecycle.

“For Hunter we’ve built on the close collaboration between our headquarters and the UK operation we established for development of the Type 26 communications solution,” Mr Marchl said. “Now, with Rohde & Schwarz Australia also incorporated into this collaboration, we are well placed not only to deliver on this project but also for any future large naval programs that may be shared between the UK and Australia.”

“Rohde & Schwarz is committed to building a strategic partnership with the Commonwealth of Australia to support in-country integration, adaptation and evolution of Defence capability as well as for test and evaluation, certification and systems assurance,” said Mr Marchl.

(Rohde & Schwarz)