Europe finalises sovereign IRIS² satellite network with expanded constellation
The European Commission has confirmed a 348-satellite low Earth orbit network, up from the original plan, with first launches targeted for 2029 to secure government and defence communications.
The European Commission has finalised the implementation plan for IRIS², marking the transition of the sovereign satellite broadband service from the planning stage to full-scale deployment. Following negotiations that commenced in January, the Commission signed an agreement with European manufacturers and the European Space Agency (ESA), alongside other partners, to secure the project’s detailed design, ground infrastructure, and launch services.
Under the confirmed agreement, the IRIS² constellation will comprise 348 satellites in low Earth orbit, an increase of 66 from the original project plan. Partner manufacturers agreed to produce and deliver this additional capacity, which the ESA states will significantly strengthen capabilities for defence, security, and emergency services across the European Union and participating nations such as Norway and Iceland.
The European Space Agency noted that this reinforcement will increase secure governmental capacity by 60 percent within the EU and 54 percent globally. The agency highlighted that the expanded network will significantly enhance Europe’s ability to support critical missions during crises, including emergency response, humanitarian aid, and border surveillance.
Target pricing for the service and the level of investment from private operators have also been finalised. The Commission and its partners plan to launch the first satellites in 2029, with services to be progressively deployed from that same year. This timeline allows for the construction of satellites and the establishment of necessary ground infrastructure ahead of the initial rollout.
IRIS² is positioned as a sovereign alternative to commercial networks like SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently operates more than 10,000 active satellites. While IRIS²’s planned network is smaller in scale, its primary purpose is to provide secure and reliable connections for government users rather than mass commercial broadband. The service is designed for critical operations, though it may eventually become available to businesses and citizens in areas where traditional terrestrial networks are non-existent or unreliable.
