It has been reported that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is planning to purchase remnants of a satellite communications payload to further enhance worldwide communications of its ships, aircraft and troops.

In a 2009 contract, the ADF approved to buy part of the specialized UHF (ultra high frequency) communications package on an Intelsat satellite set for launch early this year.

Now the ADF has implemented its choice to buy the remaining communications payload aboard Intelsat 22.

A memorandum of understanding setting out terms for sharing of UHF communications resources has also been signed by Australia and the United States.

Don Brown, Vice President for hosted payload programs at Intelsat General Corporation, stated, “As a result of our direct partnership with the ADF, we are building a payload that will serve the ADF's growing communication requirements for the next two decades”.

Intelsat is said to be the foremost provider of fixed satellite services, worldwide. At present, Intelsat 22 is being produced by aerospace company, Boeing.

It is said that the ADF has an increasing dependence on satellite communications to drive actions in theatres such as Afghanistan.

The deal was signed in 2009 and is worth $230 million with the agreement running for 15 years.