HC Deb 22 November 1966 vol 736 cc261-2W
Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future British programme for communication and reconnaissance satellites.

Mr. Healey

We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which the United States will construct and launch by Thor Delta booster two geostationary communications satellites to provide the United Kingdom with an interim defence satellite communications capability as part of the Interim Defence Communications Satellite Project. This capability is expected to be available in 1968. Ground facilities used will include the terminals provided for the trials stage announced in February last plus four smaller air portable stations and facilities in certain H.M. ships. It is planned to have interoperability between U.K. and U.S. terminals.

The British part of the system will provide communications for the area between the U.K. and Australia. The satellites, when in position, will be under the command and control of the Ministry of Defence acting on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. Terminal facilities will be made in the United Kingdom and there is provision for consultation regarding participation by U.K. industry in the development and production of components of the satellites.

The U.S. has invited N.A.T.O. to participate in the trials and operational phases of I.D.C.S.P. and this proposal, which is currently under active consideration, is fully compatible with these arrangements.

These satellites will have no reconnaissance capability, and we have no plans for acquiring reconnaissance satellites.

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