The new £15m plan to use spy satellites to track migrants sneaking into UK on small boats | Politics | News

Government contracts have revealed the Home Office is spending £15m to track migrants crossing the Channel from space using spy satellites.

The deal is with the Luton branch of satellite communication service provider Telespazio UK, which will work alongside the Joint Maritime Security Centre.

Telespazio UK will provide enhanced surveillance to ensure the UK can tackle “threats to security, law and order, and the marine environment”.

The Home Office is also trying to identify vessels that don’t provide tracking data, sometimes because they’re being used by smugglers, known as “dark targets”.

People trying to cross the Channel in small boats are already under 24/7 surveillance using radar, hi-tech cameras and sensors.

Despite being heavily redacted, one contract started in November and is valid until September 2025 for the price of £15 million.

An order form reads: “Maritime security is a key enabler to Homeland Security, surveillance of the Maritime domain for UK security requires a multi-layered approach.

“Satellite surveillance products provide longer range coverage but lack persistence, whereas terrestrial sensors such as RADAR provide persistence at shorter ranges.”

It says the aims are: “To identify vessels of interest (VOI) (especially dark targets), determine patterns of life (POL) and to enable cueing of other sensor capabilities and patrolling assets.

“To direct other capability/assets to the target VOI in order to undertake further surveillance or to intercept, therefore delivery of agreed products/analysis should be as near to real-time as is possible.”

A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: “The Joint Maritime Security Centre is harnessing cutting edge technology and capabilities to provide 24/7 monitoring of UK waters and ensure our borders are secure.

“Effective use of satellites ensure we can play a key role in detecting ‘dark vessels’ at sea, such as those involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities, drug smuggling, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and evading sanctions.

“And in the channel, the UK is taking steps to tackle small boat crossings through our Border Security Command, recruiting more investigative officers and working more closely with our European partners to ensure the vile people smugglers are brought to justice.”

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.