As part of the team, Serco Group (“Serco”) will play an important role in this key government programme. The contract is worth around £2 billion over fifteen years to the team as a whole, and in the region of £220 million to Serco, in the same period. The contract is expected to be signed in the latter part of 2002 with service delivery beginning in March 2003.

Serco, which has been an integral part of the Paradigm team for Skynet 5 since the award of the PFI Study Contract, is working alongside the industry leaders in its field to deliver this secure global military satellite communications service. As part of this long-term contract Serco will provide network and facilities management services, including spacecraft and network operations, network maintenance, training, supply management and through-life buildings and facilities maintenance.

By choosing this highly flexible and cost effective service provision solution, the MoD will retain guaranteed, secure communications whenever and wherever required, eliminating the risks of managing the space system and benefiting from evolving technologies and increasing capacity.

Commenting on the award, Kevin Beeston - Serco’s Chief Executive said:

“By making Paradigm preferred bidder for this very important and ground breaking service provision contract the MoD are acknowledging the quality and technical excellence in one of the strongest teams that can ever have come together for a project of this nature.

Involvement in Skynet 5 further adds to Serco’s expanding range of services with the UK and overseas governments and specifically with the Ministry of Defence in critical and complex systems. This contract award will contribute significantly to Serco’s already highly visible order book.”