Given that's a heavily-editorialised rehash of a story from The Grauniad, I'd probably take that with a pinch of salt.
Thing is, it's a mostly-built constellation and it's there ready to use. If you can't use it for GPS, then I'm sure you can think of another use for a global communication system.
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evil_andy Stick stick stick stick sticky sticky stick stick, Tue 30 Jun 2020, 23:44,
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We'd still be able to use it for navigation/timekeeping/etc, just like we can still use GLONASS despite it being owned by those nasty Ruskies.
The concern was losing access to the more secure PRS level of the service which the Military would need access to were we ever to end up going to war with another nation. That wouldn't have been ideal, but it wasn't exactly the end of the world either, as we still have access to the American secure system (and probably the Russian one, too).
Regardless. As expected, just like the USA (and probably Russia), the EU have said that we can continue to use the Galileo PRS as long as we're not planning on going to, or currently at war with any EU member states (Section 3, Subsection F.)
So basically, unless we somehow ended up at war with both the EU and the USA, we'd have access to a Military navigation system regardless of what the EU decided. And if we find ourselves in that particular situation, I think it's safe to say we'd be massively fucked anyway. Just shitty leftist pearl-clutching alarmism from the Guardian, and lazy journalism from Gizmodo as usual.
(, Wed 1 Jul 2020, 3:30, Reply)
Your grasp of geopolitics is decidedly shaky. The point is that non-treaty reliance on non-indigenous systems places the UK at great disadvantage in international negotiation. "Oh, you want to keep your access to x/y/z system do you? Oh dear we hadn't anticipared you needing it. If you would just sign on the chlorinated chicken/Eurobond dotted line we'll go and ask the pentagon/EU Council/whoever if there's anything we can do..."
(, Wed 1 Jul 2020, 5:50, Reply)
Oh, no. I absolutely get that bit.
One of the worst parts of this whole Brexit shitshow is that we're now basically being held to ransom by the EU because we're completely unable of functioning successfully as an autonomous nation. I mean, honestly. Can you imagine how janky a UK developed navigation system would be?
It's like cancelling your £50 annual Gardener's World subscription because you don't feel the quality of the publication justifies the cost, but then paying £6 at the Newsagents for your copy every month because you just can't manage without those Alan Titchmarsh segments.
(Well, really it's like cancelling your £50 annual subscription because you're sick of all these Polish and Lithuanian expats writing better articles for less money than the old native Blighty columnists were, but you know what I mean).
(, Wed 1 Jul 2020, 6:16, Reply)
Well they actually did really well with their track and trace app
.... Oh wait.....
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Fadgebadger Sweaty sumo wanks for everyone!, Wed 1 Jul 2020, 10:29,
Reply)
Ok, but we've now got a global communications system to use as a counter. You can't tell me that's not of interest.
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evil_andy Stick stick stick stick sticky sticky stick stick, Wed 1 Jul 2020, 9:54,
Reply)
"Good morning esteemed President Putin, we would be very grateful if you would lend us some of your finest attack helicopters. We can offer these fine transportation helicopters in return. Oh, you already have enough transportation helicopters you say? Erm, ok... I don't suppose a pee pee tape would do instead...?"
(, Wed 1 Jul 2020, 11:47, Reply)