EADS Astrium Selects Arianespace to Launch Skynet 5

To satisfy its in-orbit delivery contract with Paradigm
Secure Communications, EADS Astrium has selected Arianespace’s Ariane 5 for
the launch of both of the UK MOD’s next generation secure military
telecommunications satellites, Skynet 5A and 5B.

The contract, signed at the end of December 2004, also includes an option
for an additional launch.

Selection of Arianespace followed an extensive and rigorous evaluation of
proposals from all the major launch service providers. Strenuous efforts
were made to ensure that the process was comprehensive and fair.

In his announcement, Colin Paynter, Managing Director of EADS Astrium
Limited, said “Arianespace has provided a solution with the lowest risk, the
greatest flexibility and the best value for money. This will allow us to
launch Skynet 5A in the summer of 2006 and Skynet 5B in mid 2007. We look
forward to working closely with Arianespace to meet these strategic
milestones.

Skynet 5A and 5B will replace the existing Skynet 4 satellites, also built
by EADS Astrium, which are already owned and operated by Paradigm Secure
Communications.

EADS Astrium is Europe’s leading satellite system specialist. Its activities
cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation
systems, science and navigation programmes, and all spacecraft avionics and
equipment. EADS Astrium, wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is
dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2003 EADS SPACE
had a turnover of ?2.4 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the
United Kingdom and Spain.

Paradigm Secure Communications, part of EADS SPACE Services, signed a £2.5bn
contract with the MOD UK in October 2003 for the provision of military
satellite communications services up to 2018. The programme, procured as a
Private Finance Initiative, includes the funding for the next generation of
UK Milsatcom capability. The Paradigm team, led by Paradigm Secure
Communications, includes EADS Astrium Ltd, the system provider and Paradigm
Services Ltd for full service delivery.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003,
EADS generated revenues of ? 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of more
than 100,000.