MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
141/95 December 7, 1995
MOD TO ORDER A THIRD MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE
James Arbuthnot, Minister of State for Defence Procurement, announced
today that the Ministry of Defence intends to order a third SKYNET 4
Stage 2 communications satellite, subject to the completion of
contractual negotiations with Matra Marconi Space UK Ltd(MMS).
Replying to a written Parliamentary Question from Geoffrey Clifton-
Brown MP (Cirencester & Tewkesbury), Mr Arbuthnot said:
"Subject to the successful completion of contractual negotiations, we
intend to place an order worth more than #100m with Matra Marconi
Space UK Ltd, for a third SKYNET 4 Stage 2 communications satellite.
The Stage 2 satellites will start coming into service from 1998. The
SKYNET 4 Stage 2 programme will enable us to maintain dedicated
satellite communications into the next century for British forces
deployed throughout the world, in theatres as diverse as Bosnia, the
Middle East and the Falkland Islands. Such a capability is of great
importance to mobile operations, including those of the Joint Rapid
Deployment Force, where military units may not be in range of
reliable terrestrial communications. The planned order will also
provide substantial further work for the British Space Industry."
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Military satellite communications are the core of communications
networks deployed for land, sea and air forces. We must maintain
this capability in order to provide effective support to British
forces engaged in a wide range of military operations throughout the
world.
Two SKYNET 4 Stage 2 communications satellites are already on order
to replace existing SKYNET 4 Stage 1 satellites. Subject to a
satisfactory conclusion of contractual negotiations with Matra
Marconi Space UK Ltd (expected to be completed by the end of this
year), the Ministry of Defence intends to place an order for a third
Stage 2 satellite worth over #100m. This order will be added to the
existing firm price contract (worth some #300m) for the first two
Stage 2 satellites already under construction at MMS.
It is intended that MMS will be the Prime Contractor responsible for
both the production and the launch of the satellite.
SKYNET 4 Stage 2 satellites will begin to enter service from 1998.
In-service date of 3rd satellite expected to be early 2000. These
will replace the three Stage 1 satellites, occupying the same
geostationary orbits.
Improvements in Stage 2 satellites include increased power in
communications channels. The SKYNET 4 Stage 2 programme will
maintain, into the next century, the required levels of availability
and coverage in areas of the world where UK forces are liable to be
deployed.
A third SKYNET 4 Stage 2 satellite is assessed to be the most cost
effective means of meeting the requirement.
# = pounds sterling
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