Oberon satellite system to deliver advanced surveillance for UK military under £127m deal

The UK is set to bolster its military capabilities with a new satellite system called Oberon that is designed to provide real-time intelligence and surveillance from space.

The £127m project, which is set to launch in 2027, will strengthen the UK's ability to monitor global hotspots and adversarial movements.

Unlike traditional optical satellites, Oberon uses radar technology, allowing it to capture detailed images regardless of the weather conditions or time of day.

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This will give the UK a vital edge in military operations, providing constant access to high-resolution imagery for defence and intelligence purposes.

Oberonwill go beyond military applications, being able to monitor environmental threats, natural disasters and the ongoing impacts of climate change.

For UK Space Command, Oberon forms part of a wider initiative aimed at ensuring the country's space autonomy.

Major General Paul Tedman, the Commander of UK Space Command, said it would allow the UK to conduct surveillance "anytime and through any weather".

The contract for the Oberon satellites was awarded to Airbus, a move that will also support hundreds of jobs within the UK's space sector.

Oberon will have advanced imagery sensors, building on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command's first satellite, which was launched in August last year.