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With Brexit "done" [...] the starting position for the future relationship has been published (PDF) and, as expected, it appears the UK will have access to the Public Regulated Service (PRS) of Galileo required by the military.
It just won't be able to participate in developing the thing, and its use must also not "contravene the essential security interests of the Union and its Member States", which will doubtless set the "take back control" crowd a-frothing.
[...] Galileo was one of those moments of awakening when UK lawmakers realised that if you leave a club, you also lose access to its toys.
The UK was also blocked from working and bidding on sensitive parts of the system, much to the outrage of politicos taken by surprise at the prospect of not having access to a system into which [it] had poured funds.
[...] UK [announced] that it would build its own version.
The UK military already has access to sensitive bits of GPS, and Galileo's PRS would, certainly initially, be a handy backup. Access to PRS could also render redundant the proposed multibillion-pound Brexit Satellite (BS) system to give the UK its very own sat-nav system.
[...] And then there is the question of national ego. Dr Bleddyn Bowen, lecturer in International Relations and Space Policy at the University of Leicester, told The Register: "I don't know what prestige will be gained as the UK GNSS or Brexit System is widely seen as a waste of resources."
He added that the BS was regarded by many in the space community as "a political vanity project".
The final paragraph (136, b) of the section on Space also requires reciprocal access should the BS go ahead. Never let it be said that Eurocrats don't have a sense of humour.
[..]Should the UK find something better on which to spend the BS billions, and make use of the Galileo PRS instead, Dr Bowen observed that "the GNSS industry can fall into line with all the other industries that are finding it hard going thanks to Brexit".
[...] It wouldn't be the end of the world if 2021 rolls around and quivering fingers are pointing. "Britain could still try to negotiate on it separately again in future if it and the EU wishes," said Bowen.
"It is in the EU's defence and security interests to have the UK able to use the PRS element of Galileo as a passive user." ®
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 06 2020, @07:15AM (1 child)
Tell that to Costa Rica, you war-mongering shill for the Military-Industrial complex! We will kill you with peace and lack of business, by not being afraid. Now go fuch a Marine. Tell him "thank you for your service."
(Score: 0, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday February 06 2020, @07:23AM
Costa Rica exists because the USA would crush any foe that dared to touch Costa Rica. It's the Monroe doctrine and more.
Costa Rica is thus not really independent. The USA can push it around without even threatening a war. Costa Rica's survival depends on keeping the USA happy enough to provide protection.