The European Commission has signed a major implementation agreement with the SpaceRISE consortium, officially moving the EU’s premier satellite constellation programme, IRIS², from planning into full-scale deployment.
The agreement follows months of negotiations and establishes the roadmap for launching the next generation of Europe’s secure communications network.
As part of the deal, the IRIS² programme will be expanded with an additional 66 satellites in low Earth orbit, increasing the total constellation to 348 satellites.
The expanded network is designed to strengthen secure communications for governments, defence organisations and emergency services while improving Europe’s strategic autonomy in space.
The agreement also confirms the programme’s technical design, deployment schedule and investment commitments, with the first satellite launches targeted for 2029.
European manufacturers will now begin developing both the space and ground infrastructure needed to deliver the enhanced system.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, emphasised the significance of the satellite network: “Today we are taking a decisive step forward for Europe’s security and digital sovereignty.
“By accelerating the delivery of early defence and security services and reinforcing the IRIS² architecture, we will not only bring the network into operation ahead of schedule but also boost secure governmental capacity by more than 60% within the Union.
“This reinforced, faster-to-market constellation will give our Member States, emergency services and citizens the resilient, autonomous connectivity they need now and in the crises of the future.”
IRIS² satellite constellation enters implementation phase
The newly signed implementation agreement marks a significant milestone for Europe’s ambitions to establish an independent and resilient space communications capability.
Negotiations between the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium began in January and have now concluded with agreement on the programme’s core specifications.
These include the overall system architecture, satellite capacity, deployment timeline, pricing framework and investment commitments from private sector partners.
The transition into implementation allows the programme to move beyond its planning stage and into satellite production, infrastructure development and launch preparation.
Once operational, IRIS² will provide secure, sovereign connectivity across Europe and participating countries, ensuring communications remain available even during emergencies, natural disasters or security crises.
Expanded network strengthens European security
A major outcome of the negotiations is the decision to significantly expand the satellite constellation beyond its original design.
The programme will now consist of 348 satellites, including 330 in low Earth orbit (LEO) and 18 in medium Earth orbit (MEO). In addition, a dedicated layer of 66 high-capacity low Earth orbit satellites will be incorporated to enhance support for defence, security and emergency response operations.
According to the European Commission, the additional satellites will increase secure governmental communications capacity by approximately 60% within the European Union and by 54% globally.
The expanded architecture is intended to improve Europe’s ability to maintain secure communications during periods of geopolitical instability, cyber threats and critical infrastructure disruptions.
Secure connectivity for governments and emergency services
The IRIS² network has been designed primarily for authorised governmental users across EU Member States and participating countries, including Norway and Iceland.
When fully deployed, the system will enable secure and continuous communications for defence organisations, security agencies and emergency responders operating in challenging environments.
The network is expected to improve coordination during civil emergencies, disaster response operations and missions involving the protection of critical infrastructure. By reducing reliance on external communications systems, IRIS² also strengthens Europe’s technological sovereignty and resilience.
Beyond governmental users, the programme is expected to improve connectivity in remote and underserved regions, helping ensure reliable communications where conventional infrastructure may be limited or unavailable.
European industry takes leading role
The programme is being delivered through a public-private partnership involving the European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA), the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and the SpaceRISE consortium.
SpaceRISE brings together three major satellite operators: SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat. They are supported by a broad industrial network that includes Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Aerospacelab, alongside numerous suppliers across the European space sector.
The Commission says the programme will also create opportunities for European start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and mid-sized technology companies developing innovative space capabilities.
With manufacturing now set to begin, partners will focus on finalising the detailed design of the satellite constellation, constructing satellites and secure ground infrastructure, and procuring launch services ahead of the first planned missions.
Member States increase investment
Delivering the expanded constellation will require additional investment beyond the original programme budget.
Funding for the enhanced system will come from a combination of EU resources covering the 2028-2034 budget period, alongside financial contributions from Member States and participating countries.
Several nations have already announced significant commitments. Poland has pledged €656m, while Hungary has committed €500m. Spain has also outlined planned investments of between €1.6bn and €2bn, with further national contributions expected as negotiations continue.
The additional funding will support advanced satellite technologies, increased network capacity and accelerated deployment while making use of existing programme resources.
Next steps towards 2029 launches
With negotiations complete, the European Commission has formally informed the European Parliament and Member States that the programme has entered its implementation phase.
The immediate priorities include completing the detailed engineering design, beginning satellite manufacturing, developing secure ground infrastructure and securing launch services.
If the current timetable is maintained, the first IRIS² satellites are expected to launch in 2029, gradually bringing the new satellite constellation into service.
Once operational, IRIS² is expected to become one of Europe’s most strategically important space assets, providing resilient, secure communications while strengthening the continent’s independence in an increasingly complex global security environment.
