EU Launches Secure Satellite Communications with GOVSATCOM and IRIS²

Strengthening EU Satellite Connectivity EU launches secure satellite communications with GOVSATCOM and IRIS²

2026-02-05 Source: Press release EU Komission 2 min Reading Time

Last week, EU GOVSATCOM operations began, giving all Member States access to secure satellite communications for government and military use. The system is built and operated in Europe and remains fully under EU control.

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: "Our security depends on our ability to stay connected, no matter the circumstances. GovSatCom is now ready to provide that vital link. By building our own secure satellite services, we are breaking our dependencies and taking full control of our digital safety. This is a win for European sovereignty and a major milestone for our Space Programme."

This is the first step in strengthening EU satellite connectivity. In 2027, coverage and capacity will expand to provide secure communications worldwide, including through trusted commercial partners with strict security requirements.

Progress is also being made on Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²), the EU’s future secure connectivity system. IRIS² military frequencies are now in use, setting the foundations for long-term secure governmental services. This shows the value of public-private partnerships through the use of existing European commercial satellites. Initial IRIS² services are expected by 2029, earlier than planned.

Europe’s security landscape is changing rapidly

As defence budgets rise and EU programmes expand, civil technology providers are becoming vital contributors to Europe’s strategic autonomy. The event will act as a neutral platform for dialogue between technology suppliers, integrators, and decision-makers shaping the next generation of European defence capabilities and aims to open doors between civil industry and defence procurement, providing practical insights.

Find out more and register

Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Space and Defence, said: “GOVSATCOM is only the beginning. With it, Europe is moving decisively toward sovereign, secure satellite communications under full European control. By expanding coverage and bandwidth worldwide and advancing toward IRIS², we are laying the foundations of a resilient, trusted satellite infrastructure that will serve Europe’s governments, security and strategic autonomy for decades to come.”

Together, these developments aim to ensure secure connectivity for all Member States and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, without any dependency on third countries.

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