Babcock awarded
contract to operate Skynet – the MOD satellite
communications system
We are delighted to announce
that Babcock has been awarded the contract to manage
and operate Skynet, the UK Ministry of Defence’s
(MOD) military satellite communications system.
The six-year contract, with an
initial value of more than £400 million, forms part
of the MOD’s £6 billion Skynet 6 programme,
sustaining more than 400 jobs in the south-west of
the UK.
Skynet Service Delivery Wrap
(SDW) will encompass the operation of the UK’s
constellation of military satellites and ground
stations, including the integration of terminals
into the MOD network, ensuring they are integrated
and supported.
Babcock will partner with SES,
GovSat and Intelsat on Skynet SDW.
David Lockwood, CEO for
Babcock, said: “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
“Babcock is a world leader in
secure communications for the military. Together
with our partners, we will provide a high-tech
solution which combines the availability,
affordability and capability that the UK needs.”
Alex Chalk, Defence Procurement
Minister, 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.”
Skynet has been in service
since the 1960s – with the first satellite of the
sixth Skynet generation satellite, Skynet 6A, set to
be launched in 2025. The contract includes the
services necessary to support the current Skynet
infrastructure, as well as the successful transition
and continuous delivery of service for future Skynet
operations.
Babcock and its partners bring
the stability, knowledge, and pedigree of a proven
service provider with the leading commercial and
military satellite operators to utilise the
best-in-class solutions the industry has to offer.
Backed by its unique,
collective international experience across defence
and satcom operations, the partnership will provide
a low risk, uninterrupted service which brings an
assured end-to-end approach for the MOD. Its
one-team ethos integrates the customer, partners,
and supply chain to deliver an adaptable, agile and
supportable service delivery solution.
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