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Communication and air traffic management provider Frequentis has completed its acquisition of Defence supplier C4i from L3Harris after five months.
Melbourne-based C4i designs, manufactures and integrates tailored mission-critical communications solutions for defence forces all over the world.
In 2013, C4i became a business unit within Exelis, which in 2015 became part of Harris Corporation.
Under the acquisition, Frequentis will see C4i return to operation as an independent brand that will remain a separate business entity within the Frequentis Group, and will focus on US, Australia, UK, and allied markets.
Frequentis has also announced that the first public appearance of the new C4i brand is planned for the Aerospace & Defence Avalon Airshow exhibition, due to take place from 30 November to 5 December this year.
“We are delighted that with the closing for C4i we completed the transaction with L3Harris in such a short time,” said Frequentis CEO Norbert Haslacher.
“As a new entity of the Frequentis Group, C4i will significantly reinforce Frequentis capabilities in the very important Australian and US markets for multi-domain cyber secure Defence communications.
“We will combine the strength of Frequentis and C4i mission-critical communication platforms, to provide market leading technology and solutions based on extensive security, compliance and export handling processes.
“Frequentis is market leader in communication systems for military air traffic management. Together with C4i, we will now secure a globally dominating position also in the defence command & control market.”
Martin Rampl, Frequentis Australasia managing director, said, “Frequentis will further expand its Defence business in Australia and US with further investment into products and facilities.
“Australia will benefit from C4i’s sovereign Australian capability and from increased global export opportunities. Finally, the close relationship between Australia and the USA will foster enhanced trusted collaboration for US based business.”
Last month, the organisers of AVALON announced that the event will proceed as planned in November 2021, despite other high-profile cancellations, following the event’s earlier postponement over COVID concerns.
The event, originally slated to take-off in February 2021, was officially postponed in May last year, and it was announced shortly after that AVALON would now take place from 30 November to 5 December 2021
AVALON 2021 is expected to be one of the largest air show events in Australia’s history, and will showcase the nation’s largest public display of Australian Defence Force aircraft, according to its organisers.
The event will largely aim to highlight and celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force, as well as bring Australia’s aviation sector back together in the largest aviation event since the beginning of the pandemic.
“Like all responsible organisations, we will continue to be guided by advice from public health authorities and will comply with directions from the Australian and Victorian governments,” Avalon Airshow chief executive Ian Honnery added.
“The preservation of public health will always be our paramount commitment.”
AVALON 2021 will comprise dedicated industry-only trade days from Tuesday, 30 November to Friday, 3 December, as well as public air shows from Friday, 3 December to Sunday, 5 December.
