Space, IRIS²: EU signs deal to add 66 satellites for defence

Brussels – Moving forward with new and additional satellites, as scheduled. The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have concluded negotiations and signed an implementation agreement for the launch of IRIS², the European Union’s new flagship satellite constellation. The agreement, among other things, adds 66 satellites into low Earth orbit to the programme, bringing the main constellation to 348 satellites, and moving it from planning to full-scale deployment. 

 The agreement takes on a whole new significance in light of the updated EU agenda, in which space is used as a means of defence. The deployment of IRIS² involves a dedicated constellation of 66 satellites to strengthen defence capabilities, as well as security and emergency services. According to European Commission estimates, this reinforcement will increase secure governmental capacity by 60 per cent within the EU and by 54 per cent globally, significantly expanding Europe’s ability to support critical missions during crises.

Specifically, IRIS² will enable authorised government users in EU Member States and participating countries – currently Norway and Iceland – to communicate securely and continuously during critical operations. Whether responding to emergencies, protecting critical infrastructure, or supporting security missions, IRIS² will provide Europe with an autonomous and resilient connectivity capability.

 https://www.eunews.it/en/2026/05/27/the-eu-launches-its-new-satellite-plan-and-challenges-starlink-reserve-two-thirds-of-the-bandwidth-for-domestic-operators/

“Today we are taking a decisive step forward for Europe’s security and digital sovereignty,” said a satisfied Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence, citing two reasons: “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 within the Union.” 

Now comes the economic part of the operation: finding the funds. The faster implementation and greater capacity required to meet defence and security needs entail “an additional investment in the programme budget,” the European Commission’s services admit. This investment will support advanced satellite technologies and the deployment of the expanded constellation, while ensuring the efficient use of the programme’s existing resources. Funding will necessarily have to be “a combination of resources from the EU budget for the period 2028–2034 and additional investments from Member States and third countries.”