Elbit lands $300m. contract to supply Australian military

Command-and-control system will be similar to Tzayad C4I system recently inaugurated by IDF Ground Forces Command.

By YAAKOV KATZ
Elbit Systems Ltd won a $300 million contract on Monday to supply the Australian Army with command-and-control systems for its ground forces. The system will be similar to the Tzayad C4I system recently inaugurated by the IDF Ground Forces Command.
The project, Elbit CEO Joseph Ackerman said, would be completed over the next three years and would likely lead to additional contracts from other foreign militaries.
“We are in talks with a lot of different countries,” Ackerman said. “All militaries are interested in such command-and-control capabilities.”
Under the contract with the Australians, Elbit will providecapabilities that  will increase the commander’s battlespace awareness,automate combat messaging and assist in the execution of operations.Installation of the system on military vehicles, as well as theportable version carried by infantry commanders, will significantlyreduce the risk of friendly fire incidents.
In September, theIDF held its first division-level test with the Tzayad, which, like theversions the Australians are purchasing, also provides users with a 3Dversion of the battlefield, enabling commanders to better assess theirbattle plans.
“Australia is a very important market for ElbitSystems, and we are extremely proud to be selected by the Department ofDefence for this major program, one of the largest and most prestigiousBMS programs in the world,” Ackerman said.