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Australia’s sovereign defence industry has received another major boost, with Sitep Australia awarded a key role in delivering advanced antenna technology for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter Class frigates under a new contract with Rohde & Schwarz Australia.
This agreement will see Sitep provide its world-leading ultra high frequency military satellite communication (UHF-MILSATCOM) antenna systems for the first three frigates, which are being built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
The systems will integrate with Rohde & Schwarz’s NAVICS Multi-Level Security communications suite, already contracted by BAE Systems Maritime Australia for the Hunter program.
Rohde & Schwarz Australia managing director Gareth Evans said the partnership with Sitep reflects the growing maturity and capability of Australia’s defence industrial base.
“Sitep Australia has been operating here since 1999, developing sovereign communication and navigation systems as well as strong local support capabilities. Their proven record across multiple Navy platforms makes them a trusted partner, and we’re confident they’ll deliver a high-quality, fully integrated solution for the Hunter Class frigates,” Evans said.
Sitep Australia’s antenna technology is already fitted and operational on the Anzac Class frigates, Hobart Class destroyers, and Supply Class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, demonstrating the company’s longstanding contribution to Australian maritime capability.
Sitep Australia’s business development director, Raffaele Iannizzotto, said the contract reinforces the strength of domestic collaboration and the strategic value of sovereign capacity.
“This partnership with Rohde & Schwarz validates the strong working relationship between our companies and our shared commitment to sovereign innovation. Sitep’s contribution to the Hunter Class program showcases Australia’s ability to design, manufacture and sustain critical communication systems locally, directly supporting the government’s Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities and the Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment enterprise,” Iannizzotto said.
Rohde & Schwarz, which provides scalable and modular communications systems to more than 40 navies worldwide, was selected by BAE Systems Australia in 2024 to deliver its cutting-edge NAVICS communications architecture for the first three Hunter Class frigates. NAVICS provides full voice over internet protocol (IP) functionality and seamless integration with IP-based subsystems such as radios, intercoms and broadcast networks, ensuring secure and flexible ship-wide communication.
The inclusion of Sitep Australia in the Hunter program further anchors key elements of the Navy’s future communications capability on home soil, bolstering sovereign design, manufacturing and sustainment expertise, and ensuring Australian industry remains central to delivering and supporting the nation’s most advanced warships for decades to come.
