Australia has officially canceled its multi-billion dollar military satellite communications project, which was initially awarded to Lockheed Martin. The program, known as JP9102, was intended to establish a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite system for military use but was scrapped due to rapidly evolving space technologies and emerging security threats, which the government deemed could not be adequately addressed by a single-orbit solution.
This decision is part of a broader reassessment of Australia’s defense strategy, which aims to prioritize more adaptable multi-orbit satellite capabilities. Despite the cancellation, the government has indicated plans to continue investing significantly in its space initiatives, estimating future expenditures between A$9-12 billion.
The cancellation has sparked criticism from opposition leaders and defense analysts, who argue that it undermines Australia’s defense capabilities. They express concern over the country’s ability to maintain sovereignty in its communications infrastructure, essential for effective military operations.
