Optus Defence satellite's future clouded by breach - The Mandarin

A series of all-out ministerial sprays and accusations against Optus from the prime minister down, stemming from the carrier’s failure to reveal that Medicare numbers were snatched in a massive data breach has sent political trust in the company spiralling to a new low.

Now there are questions reverberating in security circles about the implications for Optus’ current and future Defence contracts.

With the post-election Defence Strategic Review currently in train and actively scoping for dud projects and deficiencies, the Optus hack and overt loss of government faith in its management could not come at a worse time for the company, as cabinet keeps its options wide open.

Optus currently provides dedicated Defence (and media) bandwidth through its C1 Satellite, launched in 2003, with the lifespan of the so-called ‘hot bird’ recently extended for more than a decade under a $400 million deal.

More precariously, Optus is also party to a joint bid for the massive JP9102 next-generation satellite-replacement program, estimated to be worth between $6 billion and $8 billion, with the ‘big bird’ rebuild supposed to deliver a next-generation constellation of heavy, high-power satellites.

Team AUSSAT

Part of “Team AUSSAT” (which also includes Raytheon and Thales), Optus revealed its JP9102 pitch a year ago amid substantial fanfare and stiff competition from the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

Optus CEO ..

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