A new multi-purpose defense strategic communications network, DISCON, approved in principle by the Australia government is described. The digital network is designed for the flow of commands or other classified information, either by telephone, message, facsimile or data, from the higher defense authorities down through the Services' command structure, and also for the return flow of key information which will facilitate the decision and command making process at senior military operational and defense management levels. The concept, capabilities, configuration, digital switching and signaling, system capability, baseband signal processing, transmission rates, trunk links, and other characteristics of DISCON are reviewed.