DLA Piper has advised the Commonwealth Department of Defence (Defence) on its AU$665 million military communications network upgrade contract with Boeing Defence Australia (Boeing).

The significant contract is for a new battlefield communications network; with Boeing to design, develop and deliver a modern, digital communications system to support the deployment of operational headquarters and enable access to strategic networks. Under Project LAND 2072 Phase 2B, Defence will replace ageing mobile communication systems and computer networks, providing leading-edge digital wideband voice, data and video services over wireless and wired infrastructure.

The DLA Piper team assisted Defence over the past three years, advising on the RFT process, tender evaluation and contract drafting and negotiation. The team was led by Canberra-based partner Anthony Willis, supported by Gavan Mackenzie and also included Canberra Office Managing Partner Caroline Atkins, Sharon Rowe, Anna Macfarlane, Alice Bolt and Brodie Williams and support from Denise Kraft and team in the US.

Anthony Willis, said: "We are tremendously proud to have assisted the Commonwealth Department of Defence to realise this important communications network contract with Boeing. The signature of this contract follows a long and detailed process, and represents a significant milestone in achieving a critical upgrade to the Army's battlespace communications network."