(Reuters) – European planemaker and aerospace company Airbus said on Tuesday it will build the communications network for the French air and naval force under a contract with a maximum value of 480 million euros ($502.46 million).
Airbus Defence and Space will work on the project for up to 10 years with France-based warship contractor Naval Group, aiming to deploy the communications network on more than 80 ships between 2028 and 2032.
“We are preparing for…collaborative naval combat, networked combat of all assets and platforms involved in naval operations,” Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space Eric Even said in a statement.
The works under contract for the IP Network of the Naval Force (RIFAN) cover development of system upgrades, deployment and maintenance.
The firm said that the improved network will rely on “enhanced” cybersecurity to preserve operational continuity in the face of growing cyber threats.
The importance of resilience against cyber attacks grows as Europe struggles with hackers, mainly from pro-Russian groups, and as member states search for ways to bulk up their cybersecurity.
($1 = 0.9553 euros)
(Reporting by Mateusz Rabiega in Gdansk, Editing by Louise Heavens, Kirsten Donovan)
