Defence Strategic Communications: The Discon Project

Abstract

In September 1977 the Australian Government announced that it had approved in principle a new multi-purpose Defence strategic communications network, at a cost of about S115m. This new network, DISCON, which means the Defence Integrated Secure Communications Network, is to be an all digital system and is to gradually replace the existing strategic communications network. The network and system planning studies for the DISCON project were initiated in 1976 and led to Requests for Proposals in 1977 and tenders being called in 1979. The current objective is to implement DISCON nation-wide during the 1980s. DISCON, in common with other military networks, and in conjunction with the three Services' tactical networks is required to provide, as its first priority, secure, reliable, and survivable communications essential for rapid and effective command and control of the Defence Force. The network is designed to cater for the flow of commands or other classified information, either by telephone, message, facsimile or data, from the higher Defence authorities down through the Services' command structures, and also for the return flow of key information which will facilitate the decision and command making process at senior military operational and Defence management levels.