§ 50. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of the Skynet satellite system for military communications to the latest available date; what was the original estimated cost; and whether further satellites are planned and at what cost.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe latest estimate of cost to completion for the current Skynet II satellite programme is £23 million which includes launch vehicles and services and modifications to the ground control station. The original 1970 estimate, updated to take account of inflation and VAT, was £22 million. Future requirements for satellite communications are being reviewed.