Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military’s Africa Command is supervising a project to improve communications for allies in North Africa and Sahel.

The contract represents an effort to enhance U.S. military operations amid the Al Qaida threat in North Africa. Africom has access to the only U.S. military base on the continent, located in Djibouti.

The Defense Department awarded an $8.2 million contract to SES Government Solutions for transponders to support satellite communications from Africom.

“Work will be performed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany and the western portion of Africa, and is expected to be complete by Aug. 5, 2019,” the Pentagon said.

In a statement on June 6, the Pentagon said SES would purchase commercial on-orbit transponders to support Ku-band communications for Africom. The contract also called for support for a base year and four one-year options.

“This award is the result of a full and open competition, and two offers
were received,” the Pentagon said. “Fiscal 2014 procurement funds in the
amount of $8 million are being obligated at time of award.”

  Pentagon, SES Government Solutions, U.S. African Command, U.S. upgrading satellite communications for Africom to counter Al Qaida