The Australian Navy will improve communications aboard its frontline warships, with the government approving a $45 million upgrade.
Commodore Peter Jones said the money would be spent upgrading the IT systems of four FFG guided missile frigates, the eight Anzac frigates plus the support ships HMAS Kanimbla, Manoora and Success.
"This will allow deployed ships to establish computer-based wide area networks at sea allowing Navy to rapidly move information around its fleets at sea and communicate with headquarters and allies," he said in a statement.
Commodore Jones said the Australian Defence Force's ability to successfully conduct maritime operations depended on exchange of operational information between ships, aircraft and land units.
"The networking capabilities provided under the project will also enable more effective use of command and control systems and faster decision making by the ship's commanders - improving both the combat power of individual ships and the Royal Australian Navy as a whole," he said.
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