EU expands IRIS² to 348 satellites and accelerates the launch of the secure network for governments, defense, and emergency response.

The European Union is moving to the large-scale implementation of the secure IRIS² constellation, after the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium signed an agreement that establishes the configuration, schedule, system capacity, expected costs, and investments from private operators. The main network will reach 348 satellites, following the addition of 66 units specifically aimed at enhancing communications for defense, security, and emergency response.

In short IRIS² will have 348 satellites: 330 in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium orbit, to which operational elements for specific missions can be added. The 66 additional satellites are introduced to increase resilience and the capacity available for defense, security, and crisis intervention. The Commission estimates that the expansion will increase secure governmental capacity by 60% within the EU and by 54% globally. The first launches are scheduled for 2029, and operational connectivity services will be progressively introduced starting from the same year. Poland has already committed 656 million euros for additional capacities, Hungary 500 million, and Spain has announced investments ranging between 1.6 and 2 billion euros.

IRIS² is the future dedicated satellite communications network of the European Union. The system is designed for situations where governments, defense and security forces, or emergency services need connections that remain available even if terrestrial infrastructures are affected or commercial communications do not provide the necessary level of protection.

The agreement signed now concludes negotiations that began in January 2026 between the Commission and SpaceRISE and moves the program from the design and planning stage to the concrete preparation for the construction and launch of the satellites.

The negotiations established the main features of the system, including the constellation design, capacity, implementation schedule, expected costs, and investments undertaken by private operators. European manufacturers have committed to delivering the 66 additional satellites introduced in the new configuration.

The main constellation will consist of 330 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium orbit. The use of multiple orbits allows for the combination of different coverage and connectivity features within a single architecture.

The expansion with 66 satellites primarily addresses additional security requirements. The Commission states that these will form a dedicated layer that enhances the capabilities available for defense, security services, and emergency interventions.

The new configuration is expected to increase the capacity of secure governmental communications available within the Union by 60% and the global capacity of the system by 54%. The goal is for more critical missions to be able to simultaneously use the network during a crisis.

Authorized users from member states will be able to communicate through a European infrastructure designed for continuity and security. Norway and Iceland are currently the two participating countries outside the EU mentioned by the Commission.

The network can be used to maintain communications during emergency interventions, protect critical infrastructures, and support security missions. IRIS² thus aims to reduce dependence on external providers for communications deemed essential.

Implementation will require parallel production of the satellites, construction of secure ground infrastructure, and procurement of launch services. The Commission, the European Space Agency, the EU Agency for the Space Program, and SpaceRISE have established the necessary milestones for the first launches to begin in 2029.

Services will not all become available at the same time. Operational connectivity will be progressively introduced from 2029, as satellites, ground infrastructure, and operating systems are installed.

SpaceRISE brings together three European satellite communication operators: SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat. The consortium is responsible, together with industrial partners, for providing the space and ground infrastructure of the program.

Among the involved manufacturers are Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Aerospacelab. The program must also include smaller companies, start-ups, and medium-sized enterprises from the European supply chain.

The increase in the number of satellites and the acceleration of the program also imply additional costs. The Commission does not provide a revised total value of IRIS² in the announcement.

Additional funding will come from resources of the EU budget for the period 2028–2034 and from investments by member states and some participating third countries.

Some governments have already begun to finance additional capacities beyond the common configuration. Poland has committed 656 million euros, and Hungary 500 million.

Spain has announced investments ranging between 1.6 and 2 billion euros. Other states are analyzing additional contributions, and the corresponding agreements are still in the process of being finalized.

These national investments are aimed at additional needs of the respective states and complement the common infrastructure of IRIS².

The 12-year concession contract for IRIS² was signed by the Commission and SpaceRISE in December 2024. This transformed the project into a public-private partnership funded for the design, construction, implementation, and operation of the constellation.

In the next period, partners must finalize the detailed design, prepare the production of the satellites and ground infrastructure, contract the launches, and begin building the system.

"Today we are taking a decisive step for the security and digital sovereignty of Europe," said the European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius.

According to him, the acceleration of services for defense and security and the expansion of the IRIS² architecture will allow for a faster operationalization of the network and will increase the secure governmental capacity in the Union by over 60%.

IRIS² is designed as Europe's own infrastructure for secure and resilient satellite connectivity. The program aims to provide public authorities and essential services with a European alternative for communications that must remain available in isolated areas, during infrastructure disruptions, or in crisis situations.

The 2024 contract established the public-private partnership, and the agreement of August 7, 2026, sets the necessary parameters for moving to implementation. The next step is the production of the infrastructure and the preparation for the first launches in 2029.