The Home Office has agreed to a £15million deal with space firm Telespazio to monitor migrant boats attempting to cross the English Channel using spy satellites.
The contract, which began in November and runs until September next year, was revealed in government documents published in December.
Telespazio's UK branch, based in Luton, will provide enhanced surveillance capabilities for the Joint Maritime Security Centre.
The centre ensures Britain can respond to threats to security, law and order, and the marine environment.
A redacted contract shows the contractor must comply with the Officials Secret Act.
The surveillance system forms part of a multi-layered approach to maritime security and homeland protection.
The new satellite system will enhance the Home Office's ability to identify "dark targets" - vessels that do not emit tracking data.
These include ships used by criminals for smuggling and small boats used by Channel migrants.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The technology will complement existing surveillance measures, including radar, hi-tech cameras and sensors that provide round-the-clock monitoring.
An order form for the contract states: "Satellite surveillance products provide longer range coverage but lack persistence, whereas terrestrial sensors such as RADAR provide persistence at shorter ranges."
The enhanced monitoring comes as 2024 has seen record Channel deaths, with 36,204 migrants arriving in the UK on dinghies.
Since records began in 2018, more than 150,000 migrants have made the crossing.
A Home Office spokesperson said 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."
The spokesperson added that satellites play a key role in detecting "dark vessels" involved in illegal activities.
These activities include illegal immigration, drug smuggling, illegal fishing, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and sanctions evasion.
The UK is taking additional steps to tackle small boat crossings through its Border Security Command.
This includes recruiting more investigative officers and strengthening cooperation with European partners to bring people smugglers to justice.
The latest satellite surveillance announcement comes as at least three migrants died attempting to cross the Channel yesterday.
A major rescue operation was launched at Sangatte beach in northern France after an alert at 6.15am.
Despite efforts by medical teams, three unconscious people pulled from the water could not be revived.
Ten people with severe hypothermia are being treated by firefighters, while four others were taken to hospital.
About 50 migrants are being cared for by humanitarian charity Utopia 56.
Célestin Pichaud, coordinator of Utopia 56, reported concerns about a missing child: "People on site immediately told us that a child had fallen into the water, but we had no information about a child being found."
Authorities warn the death toll may rise as investigations continue.
Find Out More...
The contract, which began in November and runs until September next year, was revealed in government documents published in December.
Telespazio's UK branch, based in Luton, will provide enhanced surveillance capabilities for the Joint Maritime Security Centre.
The centre ensures Britain can respond to threats to security, law and order, and the marine environment.
A redacted contract shows the contractor must comply with the Officials Secret Act.
The surveillance system forms part of a multi-layered approach to maritime security and homeland protection.
The new satellite system will enhance the Home Office's ability to identify "dark targets" - vessels that do not emit tracking data.
These include ships used by criminals for smuggling and small boats used by Channel migrants.
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The technology will complement existing surveillance measures, including radar, hi-tech cameras and sensors that provide round-the-clock monitoring.
An order form for the contract states: "Satellite surveillance products provide longer range coverage but lack persistence, whereas terrestrial sensors such as RADAR provide persistence at shorter ranges."
The enhanced monitoring comes as 2024 has seen record Channel deaths, with 36,204 migrants arriving in the UK on dinghies.
Since records began in 2018, more than 150,000 migrants have made the crossing.
A Home Office spokesperson said 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."
The spokesperson added that satellites play a key role in detecting "dark vessels" involved in illegal activities.
These activities include illegal immigration, drug smuggling, illegal fishing, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and sanctions evasion.
The UK is taking additional steps to tackle small boat crossings through its Border Security Command.
This includes recruiting more investigative officers and strengthening cooperation with European partners to bring people smugglers to justice.
The latest satellite surveillance announcement comes as at least three migrants died attempting to cross the Channel yesterday.
A major rescue operation was launched at Sangatte beach in northern France after an alert at 6.15am.
Despite efforts by medical teams, three unconscious people pulled from the water could not be revived.
Ten people with severe hypothermia are being treated by firefighters, while four others were taken to hospital.
About 50 migrants are being cared for by humanitarian charity Utopia 56.
Célestin Pichaud, coordinator of Utopia 56, reported concerns about a missing child: "People on site immediately told us that a child had fallen into the water, but we had no information about a child being found."
Authorities warn the death toll may rise as investigations continue.
Find Out More...