Thunderbolt in Australia. The government has just canceled an order for a military satellite from Lockheed Martin. This project was estimated at several billion dollars. Above all, it was supposed to enable the country to take a step forward in this area.
Australia cancels military satellite order
Australia announces major decision. Indeed, the country cancels a large-scale military satellite project, initially entrusted to Lockheed Martin. This program, estimated at several billion dollars, aimed to provide the country with a geostationary satellite communications system (GEO). The latter was intended to strengthen Australian autonomy in the Indo-Pacific. This cancellation comes in a context of strengthening military capabilities and reconfiguration of strategic priorities in the country.
According to a press release from the Australian Department of Defense, the abandonment of this project is explained by the rapid evolution of space technologies and new threats in orbit. Indeed, a communications system limited to a single geostationary orbit is now seen as insufficient to meet national security requirements. The project, undersized for the future, was therefore abandoned.
Transition to multi-orbit capability
To respond to these emerging challenges, the Department of Defense says the Australian Defense Force will focus its efforts on developing a multi-orbit communications system. This approach, more flexible and resilient, aims to improve the protection of military infrastructure in the face of diverse threats in space.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, in a statement to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, highlights that, despite a significant increase in the defense budget, the government is prioritizing essential strategic acquisitions, thus tailoring investments to the most critical operational needs.
Although the exact cost of the cancellation was not detailed, the initial project represented a significant investment. It had previously been estimated by the government at several billion dollars. Nevertheless, the Australian Department of Defense confirms its commitment to technological sovereignty by maintaining an investment of 9 to 12 billion Australian dollars (or approximately 5.45 to 7.26 billion euros) in space capabilities over the of the next few years.
