# European Union IRIS2 satellite program development

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-union-iris2-satellite-program-development
> Updated: 2026-09-10T16:11:08.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In August 2026, the European Union approved the IRIS2 secure satellite communications constellation to enhance European strategic autonomy. The project, involving a 15.6 billion euro investment from public and private sources, aims to deploy 348 satellites in low and medium Earth orbits to provide secure connectivity for government and defense sectors, reducing reliance on external providers.

Following this approval, European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius proposed a unified ‘European Space Shield’ to prevent the fragmentation of space defense into national projects. As the IRIS2 program entered its implementation phase, Luxembourg-based SES signed a €1 billion contract with Germany’s OHB to manufacture satellites for the system.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: European Commission proposes unified ‘European Space Shield’

EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius urged member states to unify the ‘European Space Shield’ program to ensure strategic autonomy and secure satellite communications via the IRIS² system.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-proposes-unified-european-space-shield

### 2026-08-12: European Union approves IRIS2 secure satellite constellation

The EU has greenlit IRIS2, a 15.6 billion euro secure satellite constellation. Comprising 348 satellites, the project aims to ensure European strategic autonomy in government and defense communications.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-union-approves-iris2-secure-satellite-constellation

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Cite as: European Union IRIS2 satellite program development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-union-iris2-satellite-program-development