The original Skynet series has provided secure, global military communications for over 50 years. The previous iteration, Skynet 5, consisted of a constellation of X-band and UHF satellites operated under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) by Airbus Defence and Space. As Skynet 5 satellites approached the end of their design life, the MOD initiated Skynet 6—not as a single satellite replacement, but as a multi-element, multi-contractor portfolio.
The Skynet 6 programme is not merely a satellite replacement; it is a transformational shift toward a more agile, secure, and resilient military space communications architecture. By embracing software-defined technology and a service-oriented ground segment, the UK is ensuring that its armed forces remain connected, protected, and effective in an era of great power competition and space-based threats. Skynet 6 will serve as the digital backbone of UK defence well into the 2040s. skynet 6 programme
Introduction