Mitsubishi Electric announced for Team AUSSAT’s Australian Satellite Defence Tender

03 February 2022

Optus have announced Mitsubishi Electric satellites for Team AUSSAT’s JP9102 Australia Defence Communication System proposal.

Mitsubishi Electric will manufacture Australia’s next generation of Defence satellites as part of Team AUSSAT’s proposal, which already encompasses leading Defence partners Raytheon Australia and Thales Australia.

Optus and Mitsubishi Electric have a longstanding collaboration, including the highly successful Optus C1 satellite, which currently provides critical mission capabilities to the Australian Defence Force.

Commenting on the announcement by Team AUSSAT, Optus Chief Executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said, “As a leader in the Australian space sector, Optus is thrilled that we can once again work closely with Mitsubishi Electric, further building on our Optus C1 success, and ensuring the highest design, build and launch standards from Team AUSSAT.”

“Our JP9102 proposal draws on the best in breed partnerships with Raytheon Australia, Thales Australia and now Mitsubishi Electric to deliver the ADF’s future satellite communications requirements while growing critical skills in the local technology and space sector. With our combined track record of performance successes, our best in class collaboration will deliver an unrivalled satcom solution designed in Australia, by Australians, for Australians.”

Mitsubishi Electric’s extensive space experience brings a proven history in supplying more than 70 satellites as a prime contractor and providing onboard equipment for more than 500 spacecraft to customers around the world.

“Working together with Optus has been an enduring partnership providing satellite communication services to the ADF since 2003” said Mitsubishi Electric Australia’s Managing Director, Jeremy Needham

“We are particularly pleased to have the opportunity to extend this relationship at a time when Australia and Japan’s defence cooperation has never been stronger. Development of closer space and defence industry ties with Japan and the contribution of Mitsubishi Electric will transform the local industry capability and builds on the almost 50 years of experience that Mitsubishi Electric have, working in Australia, delivering projects here and upskilling our people and partners.”

Established in 1974, Mitsubishi Electric Australia has a long history of assembling, testing and supporting products from its facility at Rydalmere in Sydney. Australian content and a network of local suppliers have been a vital part of the company’s success and growth in this market. As their defence business expands, Mitsubishi Electric Australia is already engaging with suppliers, such as indigenous employer Willyama Services, which is providing support in relation to the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).

Team AUSSAT’s unique proposition leverages over 12,000 Australians already employed, and its JP9102 offering will create a unique, highly skilled Australian workforce with unrivalled national space experience, capacity and capability for the future.

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