AIB member VT Merlin Communications has signed a major £220m contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the Defence High Frequency Communications Service (DHFCS), which will see VT Merlin deliver beyond line of sight high frequency (HF) communication services to the three armed services and other authorised users.
As part of the 15 year contract VT Merlin has taken over the operation, maintenance and support of current HF defence communications facilities in the UK and overseas. In addition to assuming responsibility for the continued operation of this service, VT Merlin will enhance capability, quality and reliability through the rollout of new technology, which will be introduced progressively by 2008.
This new service will enhance the quality and effectiveness of strategic communications, generating savings for the MoD over the existing systems, and will lead to the redeployment of more than 250 military personnel to other, higher priority duties.