Babcock International Wins Skynet Deal in the UK

The Babcock International Group (Babcock) has won a six-year contract to manage and operate Skynet, the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) military satellite communications system. Babcock announced the deal, Feb. 15.

The six-year contract, starting next month, has an initial value of more than 400 million pounds ($480.97 million) and forms part of the MOD’s 6 billion pound ($7.21 billion) Skynet 6 program, sustaining more than 400 jobs in the southwest of the United Kingdom. Skynet Service Delivery Wrap (Skynet SDW) will encompass the operation of the U.K.’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.

The Skynet constellation has been in service since the 1960s – with the first sixth generation Skynet 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 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 U.K. needs. Space is increasingly important for maintaining battlefield advantage. The U.K.’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,” Alex Chalk, UK Defence Procurement Minister, said in a statement.