Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Paragraph: 41
The UK has access to ‘open’ Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, supplied through the...
Conclusion
The UK has access to ‘open’ Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, supplied through the US GPS system and the EU Galileo system, meaning that most users are not affected by the UK leaving the Galileo programme. The UK currently relies on the US GPS system for its secure PNT services that can be used for defence and critical national infrastructure purposes. The reliance on foreign systems is concerning due to the potential for the UK to be blocked from using them in the future. Reliance on space-based systems is also not advisable as these can be disrupted through jamming attacks or adverse space weather. The loss of UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure 75 PNT services would be detrimental to the UK, with power distribution, financial transactions, and transport systems all seriously affected, and the UK’s national security put at severe risk. Although the UKSA, UKRI and BEIS, told us that work is underway to evaluate options for the UK’s approach to gaining access to resilient and secure PNT, we understand that a significant amount of work, using large amounts of public funds, has already been carried out but a strategy is yet to be published.
Government Response Summary
The government states that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recently created a cross government Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) team to take forward this agenda.
Paragraph Reference:
41
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recently created a cross government Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) team to take forward this agenda, initially as a ‘concept demonstrator’ project to develop a cross-government position on national PNT resilience through a better understanding of national needs, risks, and mitigations. The team, which will now sit within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, has drawn on expertise and resource from across multiple government departments. This is in line with the commitment in the March 2021 Integrated Review to strengthen the resilience of PNT services that our critical national infrastructure and economy depend on. already undertaken by the Government. The current phase of the work will be completed by Spring 2023 and will help decide the next steps on future PNT work across government, including decisions on what documents, strategies or plans should be developed and published to meet those aims. The Space-Based PNT Programme (SBPP) built on the United Kingdom Global Navigation Satellite System (UK GNSS) programme to develop recommendations to provide the UK with satellite navigation services. The programme successfully concluded and has provided a range of detailed analysis on options that will be considered by the DSIT-led cross- Government PNT team.