Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when (a) SKYNET 6A and (b) SKYNET 6EC satellite communications programmes will come into service.

The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. The build of the Skynet 6A satellite has transitioned into the testing and validation phase. The contracted in-service date is August 2026. Negotiations for the acquisition of the Enduring Capability satellites are progressing. The in-service dates will be agreed as part of that process, which remains commercial sensitive until the competition and final negotiations conclude.