UK plans own satellite system after Galileo exclusion

Britain will invest in the possible creation of its own satellite-navigation system, the UK government announced today, after being excluded from the EU's Galileo programme because of Brexit.

At the same time, London said it was continuing to negotiate with the European Union about remaining in the Galileo programme.

Britain will invest 92 million pounds (USD 119 million), taken from its 3 billion pounds Brexit fund, for an 18 months-long study into an alternative UK programme, the government said in a statement.

"We are investing in an alternative option to Galileo to ensure our future security needs are met using the UK's world-leading space sector," said Business Secretary Greg Clark.

Britain in June revealed that it had been formally excluded from future contracts for the Galileo programme that is intended for commercial uses such as logistics as well as for armed forces and emergency services.

Brussels has said it will deny London access to Galileo's encrypted signals after Britain's EU departure next year, citing legal issues about sharing sensitive security information with a non-member state.

Britain played a major role in developing Galileo, an alternative to the US's GPS.

Galileo is expected to be fully operational in 2026, while according to reports Britain may demand some 1 billion pounds in compensation for its investment in the programme to date.