A New Alliance: Leonardo Global Group Joins Forces on the Royal Australian Navy’s Maritime Communications Venture

The Leonardo Global Group, led by Leonardo Australia, has initiated an internal Agreement to collaborate in advancing the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 1442 Phase 5 – Maritime Communications Modernisation (MCM) Project. This Agreement will capitalise on the established capabilities delivered to the RAN under SEA 1442 Phase 4 by the respective entities of the Leonardo Global Group.

SEA 1442 Phase 5 aims to provide the maritime combatant with a reliable communications capability through a Mission System that can accommodate existing and projected future information exchange requirements while remaining interoperable with joint, coalition, and allied frameworks. Additionally, the system boasts enhanced bearer and satellite constellation diversity and agility, integrated with a high degree of automation. To achieve this, the Leonardo Global Group will apply insights and expertise gathered from the execution of SEA 1442 Phase 4.

This Agreement aspires to ensure exceptional execution reliability to the RAN, courtesy of the incumbency from SEA 1442 Phase 4. Moreover, the Leonardo Global Group will leverage their expansive global networks and supply chains, significantly expanding the evolutionary and technological pathways accessible to the project.

Leonardo Australia acknowledges Sovereign Capability and AIC as critical within the SEA 1442 Phase 5 strategy. To this end, they will utilise their current Australian supply chains and actively seek to engage new industry participants. Opportunities for industry participants to affiliate with the Leonardo Global Group SEA 1442 Phase 5 supply chain will arise through the upcoming ICN-led Industry Engagement process, set to start in the following weeks.

Michael Lenton, Executive Chairman of Leonardo Australia, stated, “The Leonardo Global Group, spearheaded by Leonardo Australia, forms a powerful alliance regarding defence electronics. It is an ideal match for the enhancement and modernisation of the RAN’s communications. The Leonardo Global Group of companies has demonstrated their proficiency in engineering, supply, and installation throughout the current Phase 4 of the SEA 1442 program. The fleet of ANZAC Frigates is progressing towards full operational readiness, making it logical to fortify an already successful trajectory for SEA 1442 Phase 5 in the modernisation of a significant portion of the Navy’s strategic assets.”