UK Ministry of Defence
Making society safer with a new generation of space-based satellites
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Assured satellite communications using the latest innovations in technology are essential to enabling the UK’s Armed Forces to defend the nation.
We are helping the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) build that capability by supporting its transition from a long-standing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract to a new model of infrastructure ownership and capability service delivery.
Our work over several years, including the procurement of a new £1 billion service delivery contract, culminated in a seamless and successful transition to a new service delivery model in 2024.
Today, we continue to help the MOD capitalise on new procurement approaches and build its expertise in developing a world-class, military-grade satellite communications (MILSATCOM) capability.
Faster, more secure satellite communications
The UK’s Skynet constellation delivers vital, on-demand SATCOM for UK military personnel operating around the world. Now, a new generation of space-based satellites is making communications faster, smarter, and more secure than ever. To maintain a world-leading capability, the UK Government is investing over five billion pounds in its SATCOM programme, one of the largest in the MOD portfolio.
As part of the programme, the MOD exited a long-standing PFI contract and brought ownership of the Skynet satellites and ground infrastructure in house. Under this model, the MOD are procuring associated services from an array of suppliers and technology providers. The ambition is to secure best value for taxpayers, capitalise on technology innovation, and enable the MOD to build a cutting-edge capability in the decades ahead.
Securing a seamless transition
The ambition came with significant challenges. Working closely with Skynet, our team had to ensure a seamless cut-over from the old PFI contract to the new arrangement. Any interruption to services – even for a second – would leave the UK exposed at a time when the threat landscape is morphing and intensifying.
Successful transition, a process that took seven years to plan and execute, demanded effective engagement with a range of stakeholders. This spanned everyone from end-users like fighter pilots and submariners to space industry experts.
The SATCOM programme will deliver the world-class communications capability that is fundamental to our national security. The transition from the PFI contract to a new model promises many benefits but comes with significant challenges. This journey requires truly expert planning and support and that’s where PA came in.”
End-to-end support at every stage
We’ve been at the heart of the SATCOM programme from the start, leading a consortium of specialist partners, to plan and execute a successful transition. We led a team of experts across procurement, requirements, commercial, systems engineering, sat comms technology, integrated logistics support, security, transition, transformation, contract exit, and governance and programme management.
Over the course of the programme, rapid change in the technology and threat landscape has been a major challenge. We’ve leveraged our highly collaborative approach to take the consortium forward through this change as one team.”
Our work included leading the procurement of a new service contract. This knits together satellite infrastructure and technical capabilities to deliver practical communications services for military personnel. We were involved in every stage, from creating the procurement strategy and developing complex technical requirements to evaluating the bidders' responses. The completed procurement culminated in the seamless transition to a new service provider in February 2024.
Innovating for a safer, more secure future
Now outside a single-supplier contract, MOD has far greater flexibility to adapt to evolving defence challenges and capitalise on the latest innovations in space technology. The change also positions MOD to make the journey from ‘intelligent customer’ to ‘intelligent owner’, with the MOD now in control of its own infrastructure and capability.
We are now working alongside MOD as it makes this journey as well as supporting a new series of equipment and service procurements. This follows the recent award of a new five-year contract to the PA-primed Team Horizon consortium – a massive vote of confidence in our work to date.
This award puts Team Horizon at the heart of preserving deployed operations and the UK’s excellent SATCOM reputation. The unique and challenging nature of military-hardened SATCOM provision to Defence, other government departments and our allies will significantly benefit from the expertise that Team Horizon can bring.”
We are incredibly proud to support MoD for the next five years through a significant transformation and technology refresh programme. We know our support will need to evolve as the demand changes and to help MOD take advantage of different services and technologies as they become available in the market. We’re ready for the challenge.”
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