HC Deb 20 December 1988 vol 144 c249W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the cost and purpose of the satellite launched on an Ariane rocket on 11 December.

Mr. Sainsbury

The satellite was Skynet 4B, the first in a planned series of three military communications satellites. The estimated cost of the programme is £360 million at average 1987–88 outturn prices, including launch and ground support costs.