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 7 events
13 Jan
2023
Report published
11 Jan
2023
Correspondence
19 Oct
2022
Report published
8 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
14 Dec
2021
Oral evidence
7 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
13 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
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
Recommendations & Conclusions
15 results
1 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Defence
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2 Conclusion
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
Ministry of Defence
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3 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Defence
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4 Conclusion
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
Ministry of Defence
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5 Conclusion
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
Ministry of Defence
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6 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Defence
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7 Conclusion
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
Ministry of Defence
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8 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Defence
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9 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Defence
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10 Conclusion
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
Ministry of Defence
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11 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Defence
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12 Conclusion
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
Ministry of Defence
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13 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Defence
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14 Conclusion
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
Ministry of Defence
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15 Conclusion
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
Ministry of Defence
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Correspondence 1 letter
11 Jan 2023 To committee Letter from NAO to Chair regarding HCDC inquiry on Space Defence with outbound letter
Parliament page