Satcom Figures High on Alliance Agenda

As the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency kicks off its annual NITEC industry conference in Oslo, 20-22 May, the agency confirms it expects to place contracts valued at around €1.4 billion over the next 18 months.

As NATO’s technology and cyber leader, NCI works to deliver technology and services to NATO nations and commands. In the next year and a half, it expects to issue bids for, or award contracts in areas such as cyber security; joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and satellite communications. Plans in these and otjher vital areas include:

Satellite Communications: €189 million for transmission services for the space, ground and control resources to support NATO operations from 2020-2034;

Cyber Security: €129 million for refreshing and optimising security technology for NATO’s communications and information systems;

Deployable Communications and Information Systems (CIS): €153.2 million spread across a number of projects, to include capability enhancements;

Nuclear Command and Control Services: NATO plans to invest €15-20 million to ensure a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent in the face of new technologies and threats. These funds will be used in part to develop software and procure IT equipment;

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Functional Services: NATO also plans to invest €10 million in this area to develop software, replace certain ageing tools and support command and control of CBRN assets;

Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR): the agency plans to issue a bid worth €17 million in the area of Joint ISR, to provide additional intelligence collecting and sharing capabilities to NATO commands.