Press Release (2004)162 23 Nov. 2004

Memorandum of Understanding for the Provision of a Satellite Communications Capability Signed Italian SICRAL satellite NATO completed on 22 November the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Governments of France, Italy and the United Kingdom for the provision of a satellite communications capability for fifteen years, commencing 1 January 2005. This new NATO satellite capability will primarily be used to provide the communications support of NATO’s deployed forces. The capability will be provided through the use of the French SYRACUSE, the Italian SICRAL and the United Kingdom SKYNET Satellite constellations. They will provide SHF and UHF capacity and coverage to meet NATO’s operational requirements. The programme will be coordinated through a Joint Programme Management Office located in Paris. Follow-on enhancement of the current NATO ground equipment will be acquired by NATO through the process of international competitive bidding. For further information, please contact the NATO Press and Media Service in Brussels, Tel: (32) 2 707.50.41, fax: (32) 2 707.50.57.

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