MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 28, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), a
leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications,
today announced that the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of
Defense (MOD) has adopted Iridium® connectivity for
strategic use within its military operations. The ROK Army will
leverage a full suite of Iridium products and services to enhance
operations, including real-time position tracking capabilities for
soldiers.
Iridium service provider Arion Communication Co. Ltd. and
the ROK MOD's Defense Acquisition Program
Administration (DAPA) supported the implementation by
providing the ROK Army with over 1,000 Iridium
Connected™ SAT-PRE (Position Reporting Equipment)
devices. Iridium solutions will be used to help fortify the ROK
Army's capabilities in data tracking and communication, along with
augmenting operational efficiency and tactical awareness. Arion
will manage Iridium satellite airtime directly with the ROK
MOD.
Arion's SAT-PRE supports both Iridium Push-to-Talk (PTT)
and Short Burst Data® (SBD®)
applications such as messaging and positioning. The device provides
the ROK Army with a multi-functional, handheld, truly global
communication solution designed to withstand the harshest
environments.
"Arion has been a fantastic partner in developing satellite
solutions in the region and bringing a unique value that helps
advance global military communication capabilities," said
Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. "This is
another great example of Iridium facilitating cutting-edge,
ubiquitous, and reliable communication solutions for defense forces
globally."
"We are very pleased to complete the delivery of the system
simultaneously with the supply contract with the ROK MOD's DAPA.
The ROK military's satellite communication needs are becoming more
diverse, and we anticipate that demand will continue to grow," said
Tony Park, CEO, Arion Communications. "This contract is
especially meaningful as it is not just a supply of satellite
terminals, but also a supply of a satellite communication system
that can be fully integrated with the military network system, and
it is characterized by the fact that SAT-PRE's outstanding
performance is based on the reliability of the Iridium network
through numerous battlefield tests, and it can be utilized out of
the box with proven communication performance." Park continued,
"Our solid partnership with Iridium has enabled us to secure this
large-scale supply contract with the ROK MOD, and we thank Iridium
for their support over the years, despite the lengthy timeline
required by the nature of military contracts."
"The SAT-PRE is a project to secure a weapon system with
improved performance over the existing Positioning Reporting
Equipment through domestic procurement from 2021. The project
passed the Purchase Test & Evaluation in November last year and
delivery started after the SAT-PRE supply contract was signed with
Arion in December of the same year," said Young-geun Park, head of
the Surveillance and Electronic Warfare Program Department, DAPA.
"SAT-PRE, which is capable of self-contained communication based on
the Iridium network, enables data and voice communication directly
with ROK command centers without connecting to separate equipment
when conducting global special operations in all areas of land, sea
and air." Young-geun Park continued, "SAT-PRE is expected to
dramatically improve the radius of action of our Special Forces and
become the primary communication for our military as they conduct
operations to protect the lives of our citizens in overseas
deployments and conflict zones."
With its unique satellite network in Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO),
Iridium offers weather-resilient L-band connectivity and truly
global coverage. Because Iridium's satellites move from horizon to
horizon, they avoid the permanent blockages faced by geostationary
(GEO) systems and help to ensure the delivery of mission critical
and secure communications. Whether in high-risk combat zones or
during inclement weather events, the Iridium network provides
satellite communications that keep users connected when it's needed
most.
To learn more about Iridium, visit: www.iridium.com
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium® is the only mobile voice and data satellite
communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables
connections between people, organizations, and assets to and from
anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner
companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of
reliable solutions for markets that require truly global
communications. In 2019, the company completed a generational
upgrade of its satellite network and launched its specialty
broadband service, Iridium Certus®. Iridium
Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock
trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol
IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services, and
partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely
historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the
capabilities of Iridium products and services and use by the ROK
MOD. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words
"anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects,"
"intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are
predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from
any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties
regarding customer demand for Iridium's products and services;
Iridium's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of
its satellite constellation, and the development of and market for
Iridium's products and services, as well as general industry and
economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and
technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those indicated by the
forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the
caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2023, filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 15, 2024, as well as other filings
Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance
that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more of
these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's
forward-looking statements are based on information available to it
as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the date
of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to
update forward-looking statements.
Press
Contact:
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Investor
Contact:
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Jordan
Hassin
|
Kenneth Levy
|
Iridium Communications
Inc.
|
Iridium Communications
Inc.
|
Jordan.Hassin@Iridium.com
|
Ken.Levy@Iridium.com
|
+1 (703)
287-7421
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+1 (703)
287-7570
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X:
@Iridiumcomm
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