The Australian Defence Material Organisation has contracted Saab to develop a multi-link capability for the ANZAC class frigates and the Canberra class amphibious ships. This project will provide the ships with Nato Link 16 and Variable Message Format (VMF) to enhance the existing Nato Link 11. The order value for Saab is approximately SEK 195 million, within a project worth SEK 252 million.

Managing Director of Saab Systems in Australia, Lindsay Pears said, “This important project confirms Saab’s pre-eminence as the leading data link and naval systems integrator in Australia. It comes on top of existing contracts to upgrade the ANZAC ships 9LV Combat Management Systems through the Anti-Ship Missile Defence project and the development of combat management systems for the amphibious ships.

The main body of work will be done at Saab Systems’ Adelaide facility in Australia. The project is planned to last five years.

Multi-link communication is a key capability that will be re-used world wide in Saab’s combat management systems, fighter command & control systems and similar environments. The link 16 standard is taking over for the future but not all ships and nations are able to advance from Link 11 to Link 16 standard at the same time. It is therefore necessary to be able to operate both data links simultaneously and interoperably. The VMF allows more flexible data communications with other military forces such as ground forces.