Defence giant Babcock has landed a £400million contract to operate the UK Ministry of Defence’s military satellite communications system.

Britain’s second-largest defence contractor, which builds warships such as the Type 31 frigate, has signed a six-year deal to manage the Skynet 6 programme, which supports more than 400 jobs in south-west England.

Babcock will run and oversee a constellation of military satellites, ground stations and user terminals.

Network: Babcock has signed a six-year deal to manage the Skynet 6 programme, the UK Ministry of Defence’s military satellite communications system

Network: Babcock has signed a six-year deal to manage the Skynet 6 programme, the UK Ministry of Defence’s military satellite communications system

Network: Babcock has signed a six-year deal to manage the Skynet 6 programme, the UK Ministry of Defence’s military satellite communications system

The firm’s share price was buoyed by the news, closing up 1.6 per cent, or 4.8p, at 308.80p. 

‘Space is increasingly important for maintaining battlefield advantage,’ defence procurement minister Alex Chalk said.

Babcock boss David Lockwood said the business and its partners would ‘provide a high-tech solution which combines the availability, affordability and capability the UK needs.’

Babcock has benefitted from demand for training expertise as military forces focused on ‘readiness’ in the wake of war in Ukraine. 

It has supported efforts to help Ukraine with training and equipment.

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