Airbus and Lockheed Martin compete for a UK military satellite contract worth up to £2 billion.

The Financial Times reported that Airbus and Lockheed Martin have submitted competing bids for the next generation of UK military communications satellites. Final offers are due to expire in mid-November, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

The contract, estimated at up to £2 billion, covers two geostationary satellites for the SkyNet 6 programme. The choice has become a test of the government's industrial policy because Airbus has long managed SkyNet and supports a UK satellite-manufacturing base, while Lockheed Martin is a U.S. supplier.