§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the new satellite communications radomes to enter service; if they will enter service within the Ministry of Defence's proposed timetable; and if he expects the radomes to remain within the estimated budget. [104335]
221W
§ Mr. IngramFifteen new satellite communications radomes were delivered in January 2003 and are now in service. The cost of the radomes is within budget.
§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent increases have taken place in the UK's satcom capabilities; and what further increases he has planned. [104336]
§ Mr. IngramA range of mobile and portable satcom terminal equipment has been deployed recently to improve the capacity of available communications to deployed units on operations.
As regards further increases, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 February 2003, Official Report, column 748W, outlining the significant increase in our satellite communications capability that Skynet 5 will provide.