The ADF’s command and control capabilities will be considerably enhanced following Government approval of Joint Project 2030 Phase 8. The project will improve Defence’s ability to plan and conduct joint operations at the strategic and operational levels. Advanced computer applications and tools will be deployed to aid in military planning and decision making. These systems will work over the existing Defence networks and the information technology infrastructure being delivered with the new Headquarters Joint Operations Command. The estimated value of the project is between $250 and $350 million.

In addition, Land 75 Phase 3.4 and Land 125 Phase 3 have been approved by Government to extend the reach of command and control systems to armoured vehicles and the infantry. These projects will result in faster and more informed decision making, allowing commanders to have a more accurate overview of operations. Land 75 Phase 3.4 has an estimated value of $75 to $100 million with the command, control and communications component of Land 125 Phase 3 valued at $100 to $125 million.

The implementation of all of these projects meets requirements set out in the Defence 2000 White Paper, the 2005 Network Centric Warfare Roadmap and for the Hardened & Networked Army. Defence will shortly release an open tender for JP 2030 to be followed later in the year with a tender for the Land 75 & Land 125 projects. It is expected that significant integration activity across these projects will be undertaken by Australian industry.