Skynet: Procurement
(asked on 14th July 2023) - View Source
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the planned initial operating capability date for the next generation of Skynet communications satellites.
This question was answered on 21st July 2023
The contracted date for initial operating capability of SKYNET 6A is January 2026, which is defined as having seven of the ultra-high frequency channels available for operational use by Ministry of Defence and allied personnel.
Competitions to procure subsequent geostationary satellites are underway, with the most likely initial operating capability dates being 2028 for the first satellite, 2030 for the second, 2032 for the third and 2036 for the fourth.