Defence has awarded $45 million in technology contracts to Leidos Australia to support its military capabilities.
The contracts were awarded by the Joint Capabilities Group or JCG, where inherited IT operations and support in the restructure of the former CIO Group last year, bringing those functions closer to military users of technology.
The bulk of the work parked with Leidos is for hardware support services, via a contract worth $38.9 million, which lasts until December 2025.
In addition, Defence handed $5.7 million collectively to Leidos for software services: the first contract is focused on implementation and the second for support.
Both also run until December next year.
Two other contracts, worth $611,000 and $316,000 respectively, were also attributed to software and computer services.
Defence did not provide specifics of each contract or the broader project when contacted by iTnews.
“As outlined in the National Defence Strategy, the government is undertaking information and communications technologies systems reform to urgently deliver timely and effective ICT outcomes to support the Australian Defence Force,” a Defence spokesperson said.
“The government has also prioritised upgrades to Defence’s communications networks.”
The spokesman added that the Leidos contract will “deliver on these priorities”.
The department recently released a three-year digital strategy and roadmap, outlining key works by the Defence Digital Group (DDG) led by CIO Chris Crozier in August.
DDG is a separate function that, among its functions, helps develop technology systems and projects.
At the point systems become operational, responsibility for maintenance is transferred to JCG, while DDG remains in the picture for changes and enhancements.
As well as the National Defence Strategy, the contracts to Leidos form part of the $8.5 billion-to‑$11 billion invested in the department’s enterprise data and ICT over the next 10 years through the 2024 integrated investment program.
The program revealed a focus on uplifting Defence’s single information environment (SIE), its OneDefence data program and cyber security.