GovWire

About the SKYNET Programme

SKYNET is a family of military communications satellites, currently operated for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), that provides strategic communication services to the UK Armed Forces and its allies. SKYNET 5 is the most recent generation of this family.

The SKYNET Integrated Enterprise Solution (SKIES) programme is developing and assessing options for the future commercial/delivery model for the SKYNET programme, whilst exploring the implementation of a new operating model to enable more collaborative working between Industry and the MOD.

About SKIES

The UK Governments approach to space is changing and maturing. As the pace of change in the space sector continues to accelerate, the SKYNET programme continues to face significant challenges that require a fundamental change to the way in which it does business. In response to these challenges the MOD SKIES Team is currently defining the future delivery model for the SKYNET programme.

SKIES will seek to address these challenges by establishing a collaborative model with Industry and more efficient ways of working across the SKYNET programme. This will lead to more effective decision making in areas such as route to market, programme and system integration and the utilisation of constrained resources, while exploiting future technology and innovation. At the same time SKIES will need to align and be consistent with broader UK Government and defence policies and strategies.

SKIES will be how the MOD manages the delivery of the SKYNET capability with Industry into the medium and long-term future (for at least 10-15 years) with a target date of starting SKIES delivery in 2025. Its implementation will be incremental and evolutionary but with a constant focus on continuous improvement.

Get involved with theSKIESProgramme

The MODSKIESTeam would like to work with innovators in industry, academia, and other government bodies, including our closest allies, to understand new trends, opportunities and business developments which could help to define the future delivery model for the SKYNET programme.

A presentation was delivered by the MOD at the Global MilSatCom event on the 8 November 2022. This presentation will provide an additional overview of the SKIES programme and can be viewed via the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP).

It is also the intention of the MOD SKIES Team to hold an Industry Engagement Event in mid 2023 where an introduction to the SKIES programme will be provided. Further details on this event will be published via the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) when available.

SKIES Industry Engagement

An industry engagement strategy is currently being developed by the MOD SKIES Team and all details will be published via the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) and the SKYNET Defence Share portal when available. The MOD SKIES Team will be following a structured approach to industry engagement, including early dialogue with Industry to consider innovative thinking to help shape the Assessment Phase, followed by a structured programme of industry engagement events.

SKIES Market Engagement Event

The MOD SKIES Team will be conducting a Market Engagement Event at the Business Cyber Centre, Chippenham, on Wednesday 19 July 2023.

The aim of the day is to provide information to industry on the SKIES project, which will include the following:

• a strategic overview of the SKIES project
• an outline of the activities currently being undertaken during the SKIES Assessment Phase
• an overview of the key SKYNET programme challenges that will shape and inform the development of the SKIES project
• next steps and indicative timelines for future SKIES market engagement

All briefing material, an audio of the presentation and the responses to questions received at the event will be made available on the SKYNET Defence Share portal.

If you wish to register for a SKYNET Defence Share account, or register your intention to attend the Market Engagement Event on the 19 July 2023, please contact the MOD SKIES Team at UKStratComDD-IES-SC-SKSKIESGp@mod.gov.uk.

Contact us

If you think you and your team could help theMODSKIESTeam meet any of these challenges, then wed be very interested to hear from you. Please contact us at UKStratComDD-IES-SC-SKSKIESGp@mod.gov.uk.

More information

There is also further information on theSKIESprogramme and otherMODcontracts on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP). You can login or register as a user on the official e-sourcing platform which advertises new contract opportunities and information on doing business with theMOD.

Suppliers should register for access using the supplier registration button on the DSP homepage.

To accessSKIESand other opportunities in the Defence supply chain follow Defence Procurement on LinkedIn and @defenceproc on Twitter.