The project was to deliver the nation's first sovereign-controlled satellite communication system over the Indo-Pacific regions.

"I am sure some companies will seriously consider the business case for dealing with defense as a customer in the future, which I worry will mean our warfighters will miss out on homegrown innovations that can make a difference on the battlefield,

Australia has canceled a landmark $7 billion military satellite contract with U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, pivoting toward a more flexible, multi-orbit satellite communication system. The cancellation was communicated through a statement from the Australian Department of Defence on.

Defence says threats have outpaced a satellite system intended for the ADF, but the opposition says cancellation of the space project 'devastates' capabilities.

Defence has cancelled a multi-billion dollar project for a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite communications system that Lockheed Martin was set to build.

Australia's largest-ever defence space contract aimed to deliver a hardened network of three to five satellites offering high-level cyber and electronic warfare protection.

Reports claim the government is cancelling the JP9102 project by Lockheed Martin, meant to deliver an “uncrackable” comms network for the Australian military.