Babcock and their partners have been awarded the £400 million Skynet Service Delivery Wrap (SDW) contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to operate and manage the UK’s military satellite constellation, and ground stations, and integrate new user terminals. This contract is expected to support around 400 jobs across Corsham, Bristol, and Plymouth and will play a vital role in maintaining the UK’s military advantage in the field.
Skynet operations deliver information to UK and allied forces worldwide, providing them with a critical information advantage on the battlefield. The new contract is part of the wider Skynet 6 programme, which will provide space-based communications until 2041 and beyond, with a government investment of £6 billion.
The SDW contract will provide low-risk, uninterrupted services to support the current Skynet 5 infrastructure, ensuring that UK deployed forces have a world-leading capability to communicate back to the UK, whether on the battlefield, onboard a ship, or in the air. This partnership will also support the successful transition of services for future Skynet operations, making sure the UK remains at the forefront of satellite communications.
Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk KC has highlighted the importance of space in maintaining battlefield advantage, and the UK’s next-generation military satellite communications system will keep us at the forefront of this critical domain. With this contract, the UK will bolster its resilience for years to come, ensuring that our military forces have the best possible communications capability to protect our country and our allies.
The jobs created by this contract will benefit a range of professionals, including engineers, scientists, space technicians, and administrative staff. The investment in this critical infrastructure will also support the UK’s economy and create better-paid jobs and opportunities across the country, as part of the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy.
The £400 million Skynet Service Delivery Wrap (SDW) contract awarded to Babcock and their partners is an essential investment in the UK’s military satellite communications system. It will provide uninterrupted, low-risk services to support the current Skynet 5 infrastructure, transition services for future Skynet operations, and ensure that UK deployed forces have a world-leading communications capability. This investment will also create jobs, support the UK’s economy, and maintain our country’s military advantage.
Source: Gov[Dot]UK
