Special Report: Boeing advances Australia's communications across domains

Boeing is supplying an undisclosed number of satellite communication ground terminals to the Australian Army for beyond-line-of-sight connectivity. (Boeing Defence Australia)

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) is advancing multiple communications programmes for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to enhance naval, land, and joint force operations.

The company is delivering communications systems to support the ADF's air and missile defence capabilities while progressing projects to strengthen naval connectivity and improve ground command-and-control (C2) architecture.

Speaking to Janes , Matthew Buckle, director of Joint Systems at BDA, provided updates on the company's progress under key Australian Department of Defence (DoD) contracts awarded since 2024.

The latest of these was announced in early August, when BDA secured a contract to deliver satellite communications capabilities for the DoD's Land 4140 programme, which seeks to enhance the Australian Army's ground command, control, communications, and computers (C4) capabilities. In June, the company was also selected as the programme's systems integrator.

In March 2025, BDA was awarded an AUD200 million (USD140 million) contract to deliver communications systems for Project Sea 1442 Phase 5, which aims to modernise the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) wireless voice, data and information exchange capabilities.

BDA is also delivering communications systems for Project Air 6500 Phase 1 under a contract awarded by the programme's prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, in June 2024. The programme aims to develop the ADF's Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS).

Ground operations

According to a DoD report to the Australian Parliament in December 2025, the enhanced C4 capabilities to be delivered under Land 4140 will support directed long-range fires, littoral manoeuvre, and close-combat tasks. The report said the capabilities will also support the operation of new platforms, including the Australian Army's Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters.