26 Feb 02. In spite of the last ditch attempt by the Rosetta consortium as reported in BATTLESPACE UPDATE last week, the European Paradigm consortium consisting of Astrium, BAE SYSTEMS, TRW, Motorola, Serco, Cable & Wireless, Nortel and S.E.A. has been selected as the proffered bidder for the U.K. MoD’s £2.5bn PPP Skynet 5 satellite bid (See BATTLESPACE Nov/Dec 2000).
EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company welcomed the UK Government’s selection of Paradigm Secure Communications as preferred bidder for Skynet 5.
“We are very pleased by this decision of the UK Ministry of Defence which shows its confidence in the support of Europe’s leading source for advanced space technology”, said the CEOs of EADS, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich.
“We will personally take care that the British Armed Forces get the most up-to-date, cutting edge technology that EADS has to offer. Paradigm has our full backing. EADS, with its capabilities as the world’s second largest aerospace company has unmatchable assets in the field of secure military satellite communications”, Hertrich and Camus added.
“Moreover this selection is yet another example of a successful European cooperation. Through Astrium UK, EADS has established a centre of excellence for military satellites communications in the UK. This fits perfectly into our strategy of enhancing and strengthening our industrial presence in the UK beyond our major ventures Airbus and MBDA, which already employ more than 10,000 people throughout the country.”
EADS, which holds a 75 percent share in Astrium, Europe’s largest space company, has teamed up with BAE SYSTEMS to secure the public-private-partnership with Paradigm Secure Systems. Astrium is Europe’s answer for leading space technology.
The selection of the Paradigm consortium will significantly boost Europe’s military satellite capability. Paradigm’s next target will be the NATO satellite requirement which it will be competing head on with US companies.