‘Five Eyes’ allies could help launch UK version of Galileo

BRITAIN is seeking an alliance with its “Five Eyes” security partners to help launch its own satellite positioning system after being frozen out of the EU’s Galileo project due to Brexit.

Space Agency officials have held discussions with representatives from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the nations that make up the pact, The Sunday Telegraph understands.

Britain’s allies could provide technology or financial support to the estimated £5billion project in exchange for access to the system’s most accurate military-grade signal.

The Government has given up on accessing Galileo’s secure “PRS” signal – seen as a critical technology by the Armed Forces – after British companies were blocked from further contracts after Article 50 was triggered. Officials believe expertise gained from existing work on the project leaves it well placed to build its own system.

Last year, Theresa May handed the Space Agency £92million to assess if Britain could build and operate its own global navigation satellite system.

It is expected to have a public signal, used to improve smartphone and car sat-nav accuracy, and an encrypted service for military use and critical infrastructure such as energy networks.

The Government is set to make a decision in coming months on whether to continue its funding. It is thought that fully deploying the system could cost £5billion, with civil servants keen to have allies to shoulder the cost.

It is understood that the countries are yet to enter formal talks, but Boris Johnson has recently signalled his support, saying the UK should “get going now” on its own system.