The stakes are high
The UK is currently sweating over a massive £2.4bn decision: who gets to build the Skynet 6 satellites? These aren't just any satellites; they’ll handle the British armed forces’ most sensitive communications through 2042.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury has personally written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, lowkey throwing shade at the rival bid from US-based Lockheed Martin. Airbus currently operates the existing Skynet 5 system, and Faury is arguing that if they lose this contract, their UK sites in Stevenage and Portsmouth—which employ 600 people—might become unsustainable.
The geopolitical drama
The plot thickens because of the wider European space game. Airbus is currently working on 'Project Bromo,' a potential merger with Thales and Leonardo to create a single European aerospace champion. Faury warns that if the UK loses the contract, it might miss the chance to be the hub for military satellite comms in this new European ecosystem. Real talk, the industry is feeling the pressure.
Meanwhile, the vibes are off regarding US reliance. After Ukraine complained that its Starlink access was restricted—allegedly at the behest of the US government—there’s growing anxiety about whether the UK should hand over its sovereign satellite control to an American giant.
The case for the North East
It’s not all one-sided. Politicians in north-east England are highkey pushing for Lockheed Martin. They promise a state-of-the-art factory in Durham, which could bring 500 high-skilled jobs and a £100m investment to the region. North East mayor Kim McGuinness called it a "gamechanger" for the area’s industrial heritage. Lockheed says their UK subsidiary will have full control, shooting down fears that the US government would be pulling the strings.
Why it matters
Beyond the jobs and the tech, this is about national security in an era where satellites are prime targets for hacking, jamming, and physical attacks. The final call rests with Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey, and whoever wins will essentially be the backbone of UK military communications for the next two decades. Say less, it’s a big deal.
