SEA, the UK’s defence and safety digital system specialist, has been awarded a contract by New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the primary section of upgrading the communications programs on two Royal New Zealand Navy ANZAC frigates. SEA will replace the programs with its open structure exterior communication functionality beneath the Frigate Sustainment – Communications Undertaking. The contract, which covers the design of the communication system improve, is valued at £4.6 million and is scheduled to start in September 2021. This contract is for the primary of two deliberate mission phases which can ship new functionality from 2024.
Richard Flitton, Managing Director at SEA, mentioned: “We’re delighted to be utilising our expertise in delivering and upgrading exterior communication programs for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s FS – Communications Undertaking. Our involvement will develop our presence within the area and show SEA’s capability to fulfill the necessities of navies worldwide, whereas additionally including worth in supporting in-country coaching, abilities and experience. Via collaboration with our New Zealand companions, our versatile and modular exterior communication system will allow the Royal New Zealand Navy to take care of its technological innovation, scale back via life prices and enhance communication with different navies.”
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SEA’s system is meant to cut back via life prices and related upkeep. The versatile, modular system will allow the Navy to combine gear, together with cryptos and radios, whatever the producer or provider. The open structure of the system can even meet interoperability necessities and permit the Royal New Zealand Navy to speak with companion navies, which can help missions with pleasant international locations comparable to neighbouring Australia.
As a part of the contract, SEA will work in partnership with NZ-based subcontractors to develop the brand new system and ship on-the-ground coaching, which can embody conducting a niche evaluation of present data and abilities, adopted by coaching tailor-made to the wants of the Royal New Zealand Navy. That is designed to allow an efficient data switch and guarantee personnel can function SEA’s intuitive and user-friendly communications system. This contract follows the profitable supply of the Ship Situation Evaluation, which SEA accomplished throughout COVID-19 restrictions, in collaboration with considered one of its in-country companions, electrical companies specialists McKay, in June.