Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to use procurement of space capabilities to support UK sovereign design and manufacturing capability in the space sector.

Defence is investing £1.5 billion over 10 years in the acquisition and development of new technologies in Space Domain Awareness, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Command and Control, and Space Control. This is in addition to around £5 billion over the next decade to enhance our satellite communication capabilities (Skynet). These capability priorities are set out in the Defence Space Strategy, published in February 2021.

This investment will play a part in stimulating innovation, commercialisation, and growth across the wider sector, from which UK industry is sure to benefit both directly and indirectly. Procurement of the Defence Space Portfolio (DSP) will also adhere to the principles set out in the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy, ensuring that along with value for money; social value, development of crucial skills, and the levelling up agenda are all considered when letting contracts.

The contract for the DSP's first satellite was let in February 2022 for £22 million under Project TYCHE. It will be built by a UK company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).