EU announces IRIS² satellite network expansion

The European Commission has announced the full implementation of IRIS², a new European satellite network designed for secure communications. The program is being expanded with the addition of 66 low-Earth orbit satellites, which will increase the available secure capacity for government communications by approximately 60%. This expansion will result in a constellation of 348 European satellites in orbit.

Construction and development are underway, with the first launches scheduled for 2029. EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, stated that accelerating IRIS² is a decisive step toward strengthening European security and digital sovereignty, providing an autonomous and resilient network for connectivity.

The project is being executed through a public-private partnership, with the SpaceRISE consortium collaborating with leading European space industries and hundreds of companies within the European space supply chain.

In the context of European defense innovation, Greece is emerging as a key player. According to Vasilis Tsoutsopoulos of the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), the Greek industry holds leading positions in specific cutting-edge sectors on both a European and global level. Additionally, Greece ranks first in Europe regarding participation in collaborative projects within the European Defense Fund (EDF).