Paradigm signs multi-year contract to provide MilSatCom services to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence
* Major export contract using Skynet 5
* Guaranteed data rate provision with flexibility to increase
Stevenage, 08 September 2006
Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd., a subsidiary of EADS SPACE, has today signed an export contract to deliver military satellite communications services to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.
This contract forms the second part of a unique, two-phased approach where Paradigm provides managed secure communications services to the Netherlands MoD. The first phase, with an interim contract already in-place, gives the Netherlands MoD direct access to secure satellite communications over the Skynet 4 system, on an as-and-when required basis until the end of December 2006.
The second phase contract signed today runs from 1st January 2007, and will see full service provision provided using a combination of the existing Skynet 4 and the new Skynet 5 systems. Thanks to the state of the art performance of Skynet 5 and to the flexible approach, this will enhance the Netherlands MoD communications capability in remote areas, facilitate its role in national and allied operations, and enable cost-effective management of these resources.
The Netherlands MoD will be guaranteed an aggregate level of service, defined by the amount of data transferred, measured in Mbps, with the flexibility to increase the total throughput in the event of a change in requirements.
Malcolm Peto, Managing Director of Paradigm Secure Communications, said: “Whilst NATO has put a Memorandum of Understanding in place to gain access to Skynet 5, the Netherlands is the first nation to procure Skynet 5 era services, I believe this demonstrates the confidence that Paradigm is building within the MilSatCom community for providing state-of-the-art solutions for secure and survivable government communications at the highest levels of service assurance. Skynet 5 will offer unrivalled services in MilSatComs through the highest powered, most resilient X-band satellites yet launched. We are delighted to be able to offer the Netherlands MoD access to this increasingly important military resource.”
Captain Hans van der Wal, Head of the Netherlands MilSatCom Project Team said: “In the overall provision of MilSatCom to the Netherlands Armed Forces, these contracted services in X-band are most essential. In the overall spectrum, these assured satellite communications will form the backbone means of communications for our deployed troops. Although the Royal Netherlands Navy has been using Paradigm’s Skynet 4 services on her ships for several years, in our new MoD organisation, the overall MilSatCom capacity required for all armed services has been defined and aggregated.
It has been a long process to consider, phrase and communicate exactly what needs to be delivered and I am therefore very happy that we have achieved this framework contract with Paradigm today. A very substantial piece in the overall Netherlands MoD satcom jigsaw.”
Editors Notes
Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd, a subsidiary of EADS SPACE, is the world's first commercial provider of military satellite communications and the only provider of end-to-end, hardened and protected satellite services, using X-band and UHF frequencies compliant to NATO standards.
Paradigm signed a multi-billion pound contract with the UK MoD in October 2003, for the provision of all worldwide satellite communications services to UK Armed Forces up to 2018. The programme, procured as a groundbreaking Private Finance Initiative (PFI), includes the funding for the next generation of UK Milsatcom capability. In December 2005, Paradigm signed an amendment with the UK MoD to extend the 15 year Skynet 5 PFI service contract, bringing the concession period to 2020.
Paradigm also offers military and commercial communications services to other governments and international organisations using the existing Skynet 4 satellites. The first of three Skynet 5 satellites is due to enter service early in 2007.
Paradigm is also able to access the full range of commercial satcom solutions and is now the definitive one stop shop for military satellite communications.
EADS SPACE, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2005, EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.7 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. It has three main subsidiaries: EADS SPACE Transportation, for launchers and orbital infrastructure, EADS Astrium for satellites and ground segment and EADS SPACE Services to develop and deliver satellite services.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of €34.2 billion and employed a workforce of more than 113,000.
EADS SPACE
Press contact:
Sara White
Paradigm Secure Communications
Tel.: +44 (0)1438 282245
Jeremy Close
EADS SPACE (UK)
Tel.: +44 (0) 1438 77 38 72
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