Airstrip One

The Ministry of Defence has announced its decision to fund a new satellite communications system through the British based Paradigm consortium, for the sum of £2.5bn. The system, known as Skynet 5, will involve two new military satellites that will replace the Skynet 4 satellites in use at the moment. At least one will be launched in 2005.

The project was outsourced to EADS, who will provide the communication services as well as the satellites. There must be a question mark about whether such military communications should be managed by a multinational that has close links to the French and German defence establishments. The MOD would cite the use of 'Chinese walls' in EADS but this contract compromises the security of British defence.