UKspace has welcomed today’s publication of the new UK Defence Space Strategy by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).
In a statement, Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, said: “The Defence Space Strategy sets out a vision for the MOD as a global actor in the space domain. It articulates how the MOD will deliver the National Space Strategy’s ‘protect and defend’ goal through capabilities, operations and the growth of a space workforce. It also emphasises the value of alliances and partnerships in pursuit of a safe and secure space domain.”
In the Strategy’s foreword, the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, recognised that “The importance of space to Defence is irrefutable. It affords us operational advantage against potential adversaries and, as a nation, we depend on it for resilience and our way of life.” He also stated that “Space has brought unprecedented advantages and new threats,” adding that “this is a pivotal moment for Defence as it seeks to operationalise the space domain at pace.”
UKspace Chair, Nick Shave, said: “UKspace strongly welcomes the Defence Space Strategy ‘Operationalising the Space Domain’ that has been published today. This important new strategy demonstrates clear intent from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to develop and ensure access to new capability that will protect and defend UK interests in the increasingly congested and contested Space domain.
“The UK space industry stands ready to deliver against the Defence Space Strategy in partnership with MOD. The UK is already home to world-leading satellite operators, space system manufacturers, specialist product and software companies, launch operators, and a fast growing number of innovative space sector SMEs poised to contribute to the defence space mission.
“As the strategy moves to implementation through UK Space Command and Strategic Command, effective access to current and new MOD space programmes for a wide range of commercial operators will, in turn, provide access to the technology and capability required as part of the ‘Own, Collaborate, Access’ model whilst ensuring value for money.
“In addition to delivery of the necessary space capability for Defence, MOD’s investment into the space sector of £6.4Bn (£5Bn existing satellite communications, £1.4Bn new defence space programmes, over ten years) will provide a major contribution to the economic growth and high-value employment opportunities across the breadth of the nation in what is predicted to be a £500Bn global space market by 2030.”
View the UK Defence Space Strategy
For further information, please contact Lizzie Kerr or Penelope Utting on communications@ukspace.org.