The UK is considering developing a “Five Eyes” alternative to the EU’s Galileo satellite programme as it unveils its first Defence Space Strategy.
Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing partnership that includes the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. According to reports, Australian officials—after announcing plans for a national space agency—have signalled potential interest in collaborating on a UK-led satellite programme.
Under the new Defence Space Strategy, the UK government says it is exploring how to work with longstanding allies in the Five Eyes network to protect and defend its interests in space.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson commented:
“We must make sure we are primed and ready to deter and counter the intensifying threats to our everyday life that are emerging in space. That’s why the RAF is taking the lead in this area and why we plan to increase the number of personnel covering space.
Satellite technology is not only a crucial tool for our Armed Forces but is vital to everyday life—supporting mobile phones, internet access and television. It is essential we protect our interests and assets from potential adversaries who seek to cause major disruption and do us harm.”
Following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, Brussels officials have raised concerns about security and have threatened to deny the UK access to the Galileo system. The UK has been a major contributor to Galileo in both funding and technical expertise and has argued that continued cooperation benefits all parties. Government sources say they are reviewing legal options to recover part of the UK’s approximate £1.2 billion investment if access is refused.
“Britain is a world leader in the space industry and our defence scientists and military personnel have played a central role in the development of the EU’s Galileo satellite programme alongside British companies,” Williamson added. “So it is important we also review our contribution and how we plan for alternative systems in this crucial area.”
A feasibility study commissioned last autumn produced a positive assessment, estimating that a UK-led satellite system could be developed for around £3.7 billion and support roughly 5,000 jobs. Collaborating with one or more Five Eyes partners could lower the overall cost and distribute technical responsibilities.
After Brexit, there have been renewed calls to strengthen ties with traditional allies such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The CANZUK movement, which advocates closer economic and social ties among those four countries, has been cited as a context in which a shared satellite programme could be a natural fit.
James Skinner, Founder and Chief Executive of CANZUK, said:
“Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are well placed to succeed under mutual economic and social policies given their similar socio-economic circumstances.
The CANZUK nations share a common language, constitutional links to the same sovereign, Westminster-style parliamentary systems, common-law legal traditions, a shared commitment to democracy and human rights, and similar cultural foundations.”
This month the government established a task force to examine options for a Galileo alternative. Officials indicate the task force would not have been created unless the earlier study suggested tangible economic and strategic potential.
At the Defence Space Conference, Minister Guto Bebb emphasised the sector’s economic importance:
“Space is a vital part of our economy, with the industry contributing around £14 billion a year.
With this Strategy, we are setting our aspirations higher to ensure our industry benefits from continued growth in satellite technology.
We are investing millions into Britain’s most innovative companies to help accelerate our capabilities in the space domain.”
As part of the Defence Space Strategy, RAF Air Command has taken responsibility for command and control of UK military space operations.
“I am determined to ensure that the RAF’s leadership of military space operations transforms our ability to address the growing threats and hazards,” said Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier. “It is essential that we work jointly across defence and with partners across government and internationally.”
Defence Secretary Williamson has pledged to increase the roughly 500 personnel currently working in the UK defence space sector by about 20 percent over the next five years, bringing the total to over 600 staff.
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