Leidos Australia has won a $35.4 million contract from the Department of Defence. The agreement will reinforce the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) air command and control network. It runs for four years, with options to extend for six more. Defence officials say it will boost Australia’s readiness and ability to respond in a contested region.
Enhancing the ADF’s Command Network
The deal covers the Air Component Command and Control Capability System (AC-C2CS). This system supports mission planning, execution, targeting, and intelligence. It is a central part of the ADF’s C4ISR architecture. Defence analysts describe it as a force multiplier. It gives commanders faster decisions, reliable information, and the ability to maintain deterrence in the air domain.
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Leidos will provide on-site support, specialist engineering, and advanced training. These services will keep the AC-C2CS reliable and secure. They also protect operational continuity. By doing so, Leidos helps the ADF stay flexible and maintain strategic agility in the air.
Confidence in Capability Delivery
Paul Chase, Chief Executive of Leidos Australia, welcomed the announcement.
“We are entrusted with a critical capability,” he said. “Our mission-first focus is about ensuring the ADF retains the edge it needs to remain ahead in a contested environment.” His words reflect industry confidence in supporting Defence with resilient solutions.
Building Sovereign Capability
Leidos will apply its expertise in C4ISR systems, cyber defence, and software engineering. It is also partnering with the SPIRIT Group. This partnership strengthens sovereign capability by using local skills. Thus reducing reliance on external supply chains. It reflects Defence’s focus on resilience and a self-reliant industrial base.
Strategic Impact
The AC-C2CS improves command tempo and intelligence fusion. It also allows interoperability with allied forces. Defence experts see these features as vital to deterrence and coalition operations in the Indo-Pacific.
This deal highlights Defence’s focus on readiness and technological superiority. With Leidos and its partners, the ADF will keep a secure and adaptive command system for the next decade. It ensures Australia holds a decisive edge in the air domain.
Javeria Sajid is an Aerospace Engineering student from NUST with a background in technology and a sharp focus on the global political landscape and defence innovation. She writes to make complex defence technologies understandable, and aspires to bridge journalism, policy, and engineering in her work.
Muhammad Mudassir
Muhammad Mudassir is a student of Defence and Strategic Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. His areas of interest include defence analysis, strategic research, and geopolitical studies.
