Harris expands Australia portfolio, adds new head of region's activities

Harris has expanded its Australian defense work through winning a contract to build an integrated battlespace communication system for the Australian Defence Force.

Under the program, Harris will provide an integrated tactical communications network for voice and data services to tactical forces over line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight applications. The solution will include tactical radios and other systems and technology from Harris and other partner companies, Harris said in a release.

The company declined to release the value of the contract.

In conjunction with the win, Harris named Alan Callaghan president and managing director of Harris Defence Australia, which combines the company’s defense-related operations in the region.

In his new role, Callaghan will be responsible for the company's defense-related business development, marketing, operations, shared services and government relations in Australia.

He was formerly vice president of international sales and managing director of Asia Pacific operations for the Harris Communication Systems business. Before joining the company in 2003, he served in the Royal Australian Air Force.