Indra has successfully completed the delivery of 11 Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and six Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), spanning 12 sites that include 10 Air Force bases, an Army Aviation centre, and a Naval Fleet Air Arm. This significant upgrade provides crucial support for pilots, particularly in poor weather or low visibility, by offering precise lateral and vertical guidance towards runways.
The deployment of these advanced systems is a pivotal step in modernizing the ADF’s navigation capabilities. The ILS, a ground-based radio navigation system, enhances the reliability of landings by reducing the decision altitude—the critical point where pilots decide to proceed with landing or divert. Indra’s 7000B ILS systems are renowned for their compliance with stringent ICAO Level four requirements, ensuring cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and operational dependability.
Enhancing Navigation with State-of-the-Art Technology
The Non-Directional Beacons (NDB) provided are cutting-edge, solid-state transmitters that include automatic antenna tuning units and robust three-way guyed single mast antennas. These systems are field-proven and highly reliable, ensuring the ADF’s capability to train pilots for precision approaches well into the future.
“These systems will replace Air Force’s legacy equipment and will provide updated technology, enhanced monitoring, diagnostics and functionality,” said Adam Taylor, Business Development Manager of Defence at Indra in Australia.
Indra’s collaboration with IDEC Solutions, an Australian design, fabrication, and construction company, underscores the high levels of Australian Industrial Capability (AIC) content in the program. IDEC’s expertise in delivering civil infrastructure to the ADF has been instrumental in the successful completion of this project.
Indra’s Global Defence Expertise
Indra is a leading global defence company, recognized for its development of radars, electronic defence systems, and command and control solutions. The company integrates cutting-edge technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and advanced communications into its solutions. Indra’s systems are utilized by NATO and some of the world’s most advanced armed forces, including those of the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Recently, Indra secured a contract to supply the German Air Force with a next-generation surveillance radar capable of detecting objects in low space orbit over 2,000 kilometres away. This technology plays a crucial role in protecting military and civilian satellites from potential impacts or interference.
Strategic Implications and Future Prospects
The successful delivery of these systems marks a significant milestone in Indra’s ongoing partnership with the ADF. The company aims to leverage this experience to support future programs, positioning itself as a strategic partner for the modernization and digitization of the Australian Armed Forces.
“The achievement of this critical delivery milestone demonstrates Indra’s commitment to the Australian market and to providing mission-critical systems to Australia,” added Taylor.
Indra’s involvement in major defence platforms, such as the Eurofighter jet and the A400M military transport aircraft, highlights its capability in advancing defence technology globally. As the national industrial coordinator for the NGWS/FCAS (Next Generation Weapon System/Future Combat Air System), Indra continues to push the boundaries of technological innovation in defence.
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