EU Commission invites tenders for new satellite constellation with military applications
The EU hopes for the constellation to achieve full operating capability for government services in 2027. (Photo: European Commission)
The European Commission has launched an invitation tender for a contract to implement the EU satellite constellation dubbed IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite).
The private-public partnership will ensure common investment in the design, development, deployment and operation of government and commercial infrastructure.
IRIS² aims to provide EU member states with guaranteed access to secure, sovereign, and global connectivity services to protect critical infrastructure, surveillance, and military applications, among other uses.
The communications will use advanced encryption technology, including quantum cryptography.
Related Articles
EU to supply Ukraine with one million artillery shells
The tender is the step towards implementing the constellation, which will benefit from an EU budget contribution of €2.4 billion ($2,5 billion).
The EU envisages full operating capability for governmental services in 2027.
The EU Commission said: ‘The current geopolitical context demonstrates how crucial space-based sovereign and secure communication services are in times of crises.
‘This ambition can only be achieved by combining the driving force of the public sector and the know-how of the private sector.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps]()
US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
-
![US Space Force bets big on the use of AI to improve its capabilities]()
US Space Force bets big on the use of AI to improve its capabilities
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
-
![Thales selected for Syracuse satellite communications terminals for French vehicles]()
Thales selected for Syracuse satellite communications terminals for French vehicles
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
-
![The New Battlefield: Space Defence, Emerging Threats, and Strategic Opportunities (Studio)]()
The New Battlefield: Space Defence, Emerging Threats, and Strategic Opportunities (Studio)
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
-
![BAE Systems to provide radios for South Korean aircraft]()
BAE Systems to provide radios for South Korean aircraft
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
-
![Lockheed Martin to work with DARPA on AI effort]()
Lockheed Martin to work with DARPA on AI effort
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.
