Operating the UK’s military satellites 

We manage and operate SKYNET, the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) military satellite communications capability.

Working with our partners at GovSat, Intelsat and SES, we commenced the operation of SKYNET in 2024, extending our provision of strategic communication services to the UK Armed Forces and our allies.

Under the SKYNET Service Delivery Wrap contract, we are responsible for operating the UK’s constellation of military satellites and ground stations, including the integration of terminals into the MOD network.

We also provide UK Armed Forces with a wide variety of terminals from the very small aperture terminal (VSAT) to large mobile terminals using the Reacher platform.

Babcock’s Mission Systems business is a world leader in delivering strategic communications products and solutions, with our services found on platforms from submarines to satellites.

With our partners, we bring the stability, knowledge, and pedigree of a proven service provider together with the leading commercial and military satellite operators to provide the users with the best-in-class solutions that the industry has to offer.

At a glance:

• End-to-end 24/7 service
• Service management including mission management, service planning and service desk
• Spacecraft operations and management of the Network Operations Centre
• Support services which include asset management, user training, integrated logistics and service replenishment

Supporting the customer

SKYNET has been in service as a sovereign capability since the 1960s. Today, Babcock and our partners operate the entire SKYNET constellation and manage services on a variety of commercial satellites.

Working on SKYNET, we place UK Strategic Command’s (StratCom) requirements at the heart of what we do, delivering a seamless, ‘never off’ service which ensures the UK Armed Forces have access to the latest intelligence and support. 

We have 24/7 operational teams in the UK and deployed abroad to ensure the services we provide are always live. Our teams provide our customers with the global, assured, resilient and robust strategic communications systems they need.