The completion of the acquisition of C4i Pty Ltd, formalised on 30 July 2021, completes the L3Harris transaction of 23 February 2021.
• C4i will strengthen Frequentis worldwide Defence business and portfolio with its highly secure interoperable communications solutions for mission-critical environments
• C4i will operate as an independent brand in the high-end Defence trusted supplier market with a specific focus on the US, Australia, the UK and allied markets.
“We are delighted that with the closing for C4i we completed the transaction with L3Harris in such a short time. 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,” says Frequentis’ CEO Norbert Haslacher.
Haslacher adds: “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 a 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.”
Headquartered in Melbourne, C4i has been operating successfully in the defence command & control market for more than 20 years. In the course of the acquisition by Frequentis, C4i is re-established as an independent brand. It will remain a separate business entity within the Frequentis Group with its own ringfenced security protocols and will focus on the US, Australia, the UK and the allied markets. Founded more than 20 years ago, C4i currently has about 80 employees and most recently generated revenue of about $17m (€14.4m) per annum.
Darren Gardner, who has been C4i’s managing director since 2017, will continue to lead C4i Pty Ltd. Martin Rampl, Frequentis Australasia managing director, will support the integration process and future positioning of C4i. “Frequentis will further expand its Defence business in Australia and the US with further investment into products and facilities,” says Martin Rampl.
Rampl also says: “Australia will benefit from C4i’s sovereign Australian capability and from increased global export opportunities. Finally, the close relationship between Australia and the US will foster enhanced trusted collaboration for US-based business.”
The first significant public appearance of the C4i brand is planned for the prestigious Aerospace & Defence Avalon Airshow exposition, taking place in Geelong, Australia, from 30 November to 5 December 2021.