Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence – worth more than £500 million – to develop and manufacture a new military communications satellite.
The Skynet 6A satellite – part of a family of military communications satellites – will be built on the Airbus site in Stevenage and launched in 2025.
The contract also includes work to the current Skynet 5 system, including in-orbit testing.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “A new, more advanced satellite capability will provide continued communications support to the UK deployed forces for many years. Investment in first class equipment like this new satellite will keep us safe from the threats we face both now and in the future.”
Richard Franklin, Airbus UK managing director, said: “Airbus is fully committed to delivering world-class military communications services to our armed forces.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here