SitaWare and Australia: Interoperability, data sovereignty and future opportunities

Systematic's battle management software will help the Australian Army modernise its C2 capabilities and meet allied interoperability and data sovereignty requirements

The Australian Army’s selection of SitaWare as its Battle Management System (BMS) is a crucial milestone, underscoring the software’s capabilities and demonstrating the growing appetite for proven and interoperable command and control (C2) software in Australia and the wider region.

On 19 June 2026, the Australian Department of Defence signed a contract with Systematic for the BMS C2 component of the Australian Army’s LAND 4140 C4I Modernisation Project. This will see SitaWare Headquarters rolled out across the Army, including warfighting and reservist elements.

The selection builds on five years of successful operations with the Australian Army. SitaWare software will fulfil a range of critical C2 roles in everything from headquarters applications to supporting soldiers in the battlefield.

Operational validation

“The selection of SitaWare software is significant because it comes after years of operational validation by a leading military user,” said Mark Gainsford, Vice President for Business Development in Systematic Australia. “The success reaffirms the confidence and trust that the Australian Army puts in our software and our people, because it's the people supporting SitaWare software that makes it work.”

The selection places SitaWare software at the heart of Land 4140, an ambitious programme designed to overhaul and enhance the Army’s C4ISR capabilities, delivering secure, resilient and adaptable capabilities in the evolving modern battlespace.

Gainsford underlined the wide-ranging nature of the Australian Army’s planned use of the C2 software. “Systematic has already been delivering on these goals, but the work will now grow in scope and ambition,” he explained.

Interoperability demands

The Army needs a warfighting system it can trust, operate and go to war with tomorrow,” said Gainsford. This is particularly important in the context of a changing Indo-Pacific security landscape, defined by increased strategic competition.

Allied interoperability is a critical priority to meet these emerging challenges. Australia derives significant benefits from its membership of AUKUS and the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence alliance, while the country has deepening bilateral relations in the region.

“There's a recognition that coalition force operations are going to become more of a norm, particularly if strategic circumstances were to deteriorate,” said Gainsford. “Assuring yourself that you can fight in that context is crucial for a lot of nations, including Australia.”

Helping to deliver such interoperability is a central focus for SitaWare software, which has been used extensively by more than 50 militaries across the world, including Five Eyes members, as well as many NATO states and NATO HQ itself. The SitaWare Suite’s compliance with NATO’s Federated Mission Network (FMN) requirements on interoperability, for example, is a clear indication of its capabilities.

“That's a core strength of our platform is it can be a crucial enabler for the Australian Army to integrate force elements at any level with other allied partners,” Gainsford explained. “Australia recognises the strengths that the SitaWare platform brings around interoperability, C2 functionality and battle management.”

Data sovereignty

The SitaWare Suite’s interoperability credentials empower different systems to securely share data and information. At the same time, the software can adapt to technical innovations as required, such as the increasing presence of AI across the battlespace.

However, the digital battlespace poses significant technological challenges, particularly when it comes to data sovereignty. Modern BMS must empower users to manage and optimize the C4ISR resources at their fingertips while protecting their valuable intelligence and information.

This is another key strength of SitaWare software, proven in highly demanding military environments with NATO allies and beyond.

Next steps

The adoption of SitaWare software by the Australian Army signals strong confidence in the platform and Systematic’s ability to support the service’s integration roadmap. Systematic plans to work with the Australian Army for the long term, helping to meet their needs in Five Eyes and coalition interoperability, data sovereignty, and the challenges of the Indo-Pacific region.

The next phase of the programme will expand the rollout of SitaWare software across the Army and formalise training requirements. Gainsford noted that the SitaWare BMS could be integrated with a range of other systems, including ISR platforms and logistics systems, further enhancing the reach and effectiveness of the C2 capability.

“A wide range of different elements could now be formally integrated into the battle management solution that SitaWare software provides,” he explained.

A long-term partnership

Looking forward, Systematic will continue investing in its long-term relationship with Australia. There is significant potential to expand the capability across the Australian Defence Force (ADF), noted Gainsford, should there be similar requirements from other services in the coming years.

“That will be a natural progression for us as a company. We want to prove ourselves so that other services can see the benefits of the Army’s investment,” he said.

Likewise, Systematic is interested in exploring opportunities across Australian industry and the national security base, Gainsford said. “We've gone through a full process of government approval, they're backing us, and we're open to being more broadly utilized and integrated.”

Having proven the effectiveness of SitaWare software in service with a highly advanced user in the Australian Army, Systematic will explore opportunities across the region, where many countries have the same need for interoperability, data sovereignty and the other benefits of cutting-edge C2 software and BMS technology.

“We want to talk to users about their needs and how we can become a more integrated part of the wider ecosystem,” he concluded. “Above all, we’re proud of our relationship with the ADF and look forward to working with them on long-term delivery.”