Babcock and its partners have been awarded a £400 million contract to operate the Skynet military satellite communications system.
Skynet is the UK’s satellite network that enables secure communications between forces and command centers anywhere in the world, supporting the UK and its allies.
Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk KC said:
“Space is increasingly important for maintaining battlefield advantage.
The UK’s next-generation military satellite communications system will keep us at the forefront of this critical domain and the work under this contract will bolster our resilience for years to come.”
This contract with Babcock is part of the Ministry of Defence’s wider £6 billion Skynet 6 programme. The agreement is expected to sustain about 400 jobs across Bristol, Plymouth, and Corsham in the south-west of England.
David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock, commented:
“We are delighted to have been chosen to support this world-leading technological safeguard.
Skynet enables vital communications to the UK Armed Forces wherever they are, helping to keep them safe.”
Skynet 6 will build on the existing Skynet 5 infrastructure and will deliver several key capabilities:
- Skynet 6A – Airbus Defence and Space UK will manage the manufacture and launch of the Skynet 6A satellite.
- Skynet Enduring Capability – a programme to introduce new space-based technologies from 2028 onward.
- Modern ground and user terminals – upgraded equipment to ensure UK personnel have reliable, modern communications wherever they operate.
- A longer-term delivery approach – a sustained strategy to maintain and evolve space-based communications capabilities.
Together, the elements of Skynet 6 will provide resilient satellite communications for the UK and its allies through 2041 and beyond.
(Image credit: UK MoD under OGL license)
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