Space Defence

Defence Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 27 May 2021 Closed: 11 Dec 2023 Parliament page
Space is fundamental to modern warfare and security. It is now recognised as a military domain in its own right, with space-based assets playing an essential role in supporting operations. The Committee will examine the Government’s approach to developing and protecting the UK’s defence space capabilities, and is particularly interested … Read more
7 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
1 Letter
4 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
13 Jan
2023
Report published
11 Jan
2023
Correspondence
19 Oct
2022
Report published
8 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
8 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
14 Dec
2021
Oral evidence
14 Dec
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
7 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
7 Sep
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
13 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
13 Jul
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
8 Mar 2022
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Panel 1
Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth · Ministry of Defence George Freeman MP · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy James Heappey MP · Ministry of Defence Rebecca Evernden · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
14 Dec 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Justin T. Johnson · Meta Aerospace Major Tim Peake CMG - British ESA Astronaut
7 Sep 2021
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Space Defence: Session 2
Anita Bernie · KISPE Space Systems Ltd Nick Shave · UKspace Nik Smith · UKspace Richard Franklin · Airbus Defence and Space Ltd
13 Jul 2021
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Panel 1
Dr Mark Hilborne · Kings College London Dr Mark Presley · MAP Analytica
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Defence Space: through adversity to the stars? HC 182 19 Oct 2022 15 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
15 results
1 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Recent years have seen welcome, if only partially successful, attempts to bring more coherence to...
Recent years have seen welcome, if only partially successful, attempts to bring more coherence to space activity both across Whitehall and within the Ministry of Defence. The creation of the National Space Council and the MoD’s Space Directorate were recognised … Read more
Government Response
The government states its commitment to developing the UK as a space nation, details the Cabinet Committee structure, lists ministerial responsibilities, and describes the role of the National Space Board and UK Space Command.
Ministry of Defence
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2 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Even before these recent developments, which seem to be a backward step, cross- Whitehall governance...
Even before these recent developments, which seem to be a backward step, cross- Whitehall governance on space lacked sufficient clarity and direction. The delays to publication of the National and Defence Space Strategies frustrated industry and other stakeholders and suggest … Read more
Government Response
The government states its commitment to developing the UK as a space nation, details the Cabinet Committee structure, lists ministerial responsibilities, and describes the role of the National Space Board and UK Space Command.
Ministry of Defence
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3 Recommendation Rejected
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Vision must be backed up with delivery, and with space set to become ever more...
Vision must be backed up with delivery, and with space set to become ever more critical to the national interest it is clear that stronger, more cohesive leadership is required. We recommend that a Minister for Space should be appointed … Read more
Government Response
The government does not accept the recommendation to appoint a Minister for Space within the Cabinet Office. It states that discussions on space will be taken by the most relevant Cabinet Committee. The Minister for Science at the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has responsibility for Space in their portfolio.
Ministry of Defence
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4 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
There is a clear challenge for the Government in addressing skills shortages and recruitment and...
There is a clear challenge for the Government in addressing skills shortages and recruitment and retention difficulties in the space sector. Meeting this challenge will require a long-term, holistic approach to education and workforce development. Encouraging an interest in STEM … Read more
Government Response
The government states that work is ongoing across government to inspire the future workforce and that the space sector and academia continue to benefit from broader support in STEM and other skills initiatives delivered by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) . Defence participates in a regular forum that exists for officials to coordinate and progress delivery of this ambition across government.
Ministry of Defence
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5 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Defence faces particular challenges in recruiting and retaining space specialists.
Defence faces particular challenges in recruiting and retaining space specialists. We were encouraged by the Minister for the Armed Forces’ support for a more flexible approach to recruitment and career management within Defence, and we support the use of secondments … Read more
Government Response
The government states that foundation space training is already readily available across Defence through the Defence Learning Environment, where practitioner and expert courses are also well-established and available to all MOD personnel through the Air and Space Warfare School. A new foundational course will be integrated across all Defence entry-level training next year. UK Space Command is now refining the UK Space Academy training requirements prior to engaging openly for potential partnering opportunities.
Ministry of Defence
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Space literacy must also be embedded across Defence if multi-domain integration is to succeed.
Space literacy must also be embedded across Defence if multi-domain integration is to succeed. As well as establishing a Space Academy for defence space specialists, the MoD must ensure that wider professional military education comprehensively covers the role played by … Read more
Government Response
The government states that foundation space training is already available through the Defence Learning Environment and other courses. They are refining the UK Space Academy training requirements prior to engaging for partnering opportunities, with formal tendering towards the end of 2022.
Ministry of Defence
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
The response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has underlined the importance of the international community...
The response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has underlined the importance of the international community taking a united approach in the face of irresponsible and aggressive behaviour. We welcome the UK’s leading role at the United Nations in seeking to … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the Committee’s support in continuing to take a leading role at the United Nations on responsible space behaviours. The MOD is working closely with the FCDO on this initiative and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a UK-sponsored resolution (A/RES/76/231) on 24 December 2021.
Ministry of Defence
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8 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Space Domain Awareness capabilities are rightly recognised by Government and stakeholders as being critical to...
Space Domain Awareness capabilities are rightly recognised by Government and stakeholders as being critical to safely operating in an increasingly contested and congested space environment. A cross-Government SDA strategy should be produced and implemented as soon as possible: the Department … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is investing £85 million over ten years in SDA and is working to generate cross-government SDA requirements. They are working to understand options for infrastructure investment in Overseas Territories and will publish capability goals for space capabilities in early 2023.
Ministry of Defence
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9 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Considered and strategic investment in the UK’s SDA capabilities offers an opportunity to improve the...
Considered and strategic investment in the UK’s SDA capabilities offers an opportunity to improve the UK’s standing and contribution to Allied defence space efforts. The Department should set out how it will ensure that the Defence Space Strategy’s promised investment … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is investing £85 million over ten years in SDA and is working to generate cross-government SDA requirements. They are working to understand options for infrastructure investment in Overseas Territories and will publish capability goals for space capabilities in early 2023.
Ministry of Defence
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10 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
The events surrounding the UK’s expulsion from the EU’s Galileo programme were deeply unsatisfactory and...
The events surrounding the UK’s expulsion from the EU’s Galileo programme were deeply unsatisfactory and demonstrated a failure of statecraft on all sides. The European Commission’s decision was deeply regrettable given the extensive contribution, including financing of £1.2 billion, that … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's frustrations regarding the EU's decision on Galileo and states that Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) remains a priority, noting current projects and investments to enhance PNT resilience.
Ministry of Defence
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11 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Against this backdrop of political failure, it is simply unacceptable that almost four years on,...
Against this backdrop of political failure, it is simply unacceptable that almost four years on, and with tens of millions of pounds spent, the Government appears no closer to coming to any conclusions about development of the UK’s own space- … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges frustrations with the EU decision on Galileo. They have created a PNT project team to take forward the cross-Government PNT agenda and are investing in projects including RGNS and AltNav to enhance PNT resilience.
Ministry of Defence
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12 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
The Ministry of Defence will have to carefully balance competing priorities in determining which defence...
The Ministry of Defence will have to carefully balance competing priorities in determining which defence space capabilities must be “owned” by Government and which can be provided by collaboration with Allies or through a commercial contract. Russia’s recent impounding of … Read more
Government Response
The government states that it will continue to identify the UK-based industrial capabilities the MOD requires in order to deliver and sustain military capability and conduct military operations as we choose without reliance on other nations, and to protect the sensitive technologies that underpin those capabilities. With regard to transparency of critical investment decisions impacting Defence, the BEIS Select Committee has responsibility for oversight of the NSI Act.
Ministry of Defence
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13 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
The investment in new space capabilities set out in the Defence Space Strategy, and the...
The investment in new space capabilities set out in the Defence Space Strategy, and the procurement of the next generation of Skynet communications satellites, will provide a clear opportunity for the MoD to make a positive long-term impact on the … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to investing £1.5 billion over ten years in new technologies and around £5 billion to enhance satellite communication capabilities. The Skynet programme is underway with delivery workstreams, contract competed for Service Delivery Wrap (SDW) to enable MOD to rebuild a cadre of qualified personnel.
Ministry of Defence
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14 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
In order to meet the challenges posed by the rapid pace of technological advancement in...
In order to meet the challenges posed by the rapid pace of technological advancement in the space domain, the MoD will need to take every opportunity to learn from the experiences of Allies. The pioneering approach taken by the US … Read more
Government Response
The MOD is committed to international collaboration, sharing knowledge and experience with Five Eyes partners and other nations. UK Space Command collaborates closely with bilateral partners, in particular the US, with liaison officers and exchange officers embedded within US Space Command.
Ministry of Defence
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15 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Defence Space: thro…
Space acquisitions require an innovative and flexible approach to procurement, but the MoD will need...
Space acquisitions require an innovative and flexible approach to procurement, but the MoD will need to balance this against ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. This will not be an easy task, and the Department’s endemic failure to robustly … Read more
Government Response
The government is exploring ways to enable greater agility and iterative delivery of capability, and the Defence Space Portfolio will be able to take advantage of this approach. UK Space Command recently published a Capability Management Plan, which gives an indication of milestones, and the government would be pleased to provide the Committee with a Written Ministerial Statement on the progress in early 2023.
Ministry of Defence
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Government Response AI assessment · 15 of 7 classified
Accepted 8
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 5
Rejected 1
Total 7 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
11 Jan 2023 To committee Letter from NAO to Chair regarding HCDC inquiry on Space Defence with outbound letter
Parliament page