Boris Johnson is expected to scale back plans for a sovereign satellite system to allow the UK to compete with the EU Galileo system once Brexit is completed. Lord Willets, a board member of the Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, suggested the Prime Minister could take the opportunity to invest in a \"better\" system that could win over international investors. Speaking to the Today programme, the Conservative peer said: \"It looks as if what the Government is now considering doing something different, and I think better.<\/p>\n
\"It would move ahead into the new technology of small satellites in lower constellations instead of a few bigger satellites locked further up.<\/p>\n
\"And, at that point, because its a contrast with the existing systems, you find the Americans and others might well like to join in because it adds resilience.<\/p>\n
\"Its a much stronger signal, its not subject to jamming like the old technology.\"<\/p>\n
The UK had hoped to maintain access to the European Galileo system despite Brexit but Brussels struck down the suggestion citing security concerns after Britain's departure from the bloc.<\/p>\n
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Asked about the need for an independent satellite system for the UK, Lord Willetts said: \"We happen to have an opportunity.<\/p>\n
\"It does look as if the world is heading to these new constellations, many more smaller satellites in low-Earth orbit and it so happens one of the worlds main companies in this one web is headquartered in Shepherd's Bush, west London.\"<\/p>\n
According to reports in the FT last week, ministers are seeking to scale down the 5 billion satellite project and have been airing the possibility of using UK satellite operator OneWeb.<\/p>\n
The operator pledged to relocate its activities from its current headquarters in Florida to the UK if management secures the support of the British Government.<\/p>\n
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The plans for an independent satellite system had previously attracted the criticism of several MPs, with Tory MP Tobias Ellwood branding the plan as madness.<\/p>\n
Mr Ellwood told Express.co.uk earlier this month: With respect to the spheres of influence, the power bases the world is moving towards, you've got the United States, clearly, you've got Europe as a force for good, then you've got east Asia led by China, and Russia fitting in under that umbrella.<\/p>\n
\"The idea that Europe then fragments into two separate capabilities, going against the grain of NATO, is just madness.<\/p>\n
\"It's got caught up with the politics of the EU.\"<\/p>\n
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Mr Ellwood added: \"Galileo was an EU project but it was essentially a British project, it was Surrey Satellites and Airbus and now because of the silliness of the Brexit fallout, we are now building a rival system, at huge cost, which we simply can't afford.<\/p>\n
\"Ultimately security should be above the politics of Europe.<\/p>\n
\"If you put France and Britain together, we have the military might of the rest of Europe combined.\"<\/p>\n
Mr Ellwood, asked whether he believed a UK system would amount to a vanity project, agreed, adding: \"The trouble is with all this, to make these things stand, they need to be commercially viable and the market we are in is already very congested.<\/p>\n
\"I've asked for it to be reviewed and I've asked for defence to be taken out of the Brexit discussions for this exact reason.<\/p>\n
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Original post: <\/p>\n
Boris to take on EU's Galileo with BETTER system US could join 'we have an opportunity' - Express<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Boris Johnson is expected to scale back plans for a sovereign satellite system to allow the UK to compete with the EU Galileo system once Brexit is completed. Lord Willets, a board member of the Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, suggested the Prime Minister could take the opportunity to invest in a \"better\" system that could win over international investors. Continue reading