Airbus Defence and Space has begun development of the first satellites for the IRIS 2 program, a sovereign European constellation intended for resilient and secure digital communications, including for government and military users, as an alternative to the American Starlink. The initial contract for the construction of the first low Earth orbit satellite layer was signed during the International Space Summit in Paris.
Eutelsat, responsible for the LEO segment of the constellation in the SpaceRISE consortium, allowed Airbus and Thales Alenia Space to move forward with infrastructure production. The constellation is estimated at approximately ten billion euros and was reinforced with 66 additional low orbit satellites, bringing the total to approximately 350 satellites, with launch planned for 2029. This layer will also have a defense function, providing military Ka bands for future European users.
Alain Fauré, head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, stated that the program will strengthen Europe's digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy. Production will take place in Toulouse, at a facility that already manufactures OneWeb satellites for Eutelsat, leveraging Airbus's accumulated experience in large LEO constellation production.
During the same summit, Eutelsat also signed an agreement with Airbus for the order of 229 new OneWeb satellites, through an Authorization to Proceed. This agreement brings the total number of OneWeb satellites manufactured by Airbus for Eutelsat to 669, adding to the 440 already contracted. Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat, highlighted that the addition of these satellites will strengthen OneWeb while IRIS 2 will bring new capabilities for Europe's sovereign connectivity.
