Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, paragraph 83, for what reason did he not proceed with the SKYNET 6 Narrowband Satellite System.

A decision was taken to reprioritise elements of the SKYNET programme to ensure continued delivery of assured and resilient satellite communications, focusing investment on capabilities that offer the greatest benefit and deliverability within the available resources/timeframe. Opportunities will be sought to exploit emerging technologies and a range of nationally separable, allied collaborative and commercial solutions will be investigated to meet future capability requirements.