Satellite operator SES has awarded German manufacturer OHB a contract worth nearly 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to build 18 satellites for the European Union’s IRIS² secure communications network, Reuters reported.
It is the first major industrial order announced under IRIS², a European program intended to provide governments, armed forces, businesses, and other users with secure satellite connectivity while reducing reliance on non-European systems.
The 18 spacecraft will operate in medium Earth orbit, the section of the network managed by SES, which is developing IRIS² through the SpaceRISE consortium alongside French operator Eutelsat and Spain’s Hispasat.
OHB Chief Executive Marco Fuchs said additional contracts are expected as the program moves from planning into production.
According to Fuchs, the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the need for resilient communications networks capable of providing sufficient capacity when multiple countries operate in the same area.
Satellite connectivity has played a central role in Ukraine’s military and civilian communications, much of it provided through SpaceX’s Starlink network.
The conflict has highlighted the risks of relying heavily on a single provider for critical communications, accelerating European efforts to develop infrastructure under greater regional control.
IRIS² Network
IRIS² is intended to provide secure connectivity for European governments, defense users, police, firefighters, and other emergency services.
The system will support remote communications, telemedicine, civilian and military drone operations, and services in the Arctic and other hard-to-connect regions.
Part of its capacity will be available to commercial customers.
The current configuration combines 348 satellites in low and medium Earth orbit.
Lower-orbit spacecraft will provide faster connections with reduced latency, while the medium-orbit segment will cover larger geographical areas.
Initial launches aboard European rockets are scheduled for 2029, followed by the first services for authorized EU government users in 2030.