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Eutelsat has signed a ten-year, €1 billion agreement with the French Ministry of Defence to provide priority access to its OneWeb low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, marking a major step in France’s efforts to modernize its military communications infrastructure.
Key Terms of the Agreement
Under the deal, Eutelsat will:
- Supply space-based connectivity services to the French armed forces.
- Host ancillary military missions on its satellite infrastructure.
- Provide operational and security maintenance for the constellation.
- Upgrade and secure the OneWeb network to meet military-grade standards.
Strategic and European Defense Implications
The agreement supports France’s NEXUS program (Neo-Espace pour de multiples Usages Sécurisés), which aims to integrate civilian and military satellite resources. It also aligns with the EU-backed IRIS² initiative, a multi-orbit satellite constellation designed to enhance Europe’s digital sovereignty and secure communications.
Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher emphasized the importance of LEO capabilities, stating that Eutelsat currently operates the only commercial LEO constellation capable of meeting stringent military requirements ahead of IRIS²’s deployment.
Broader Industry Context
This agreement follows a recent partnership between Eutelsat and Orange, aimed at integrating satellite services with terrestrial infrastructure. Meanwhile, Eutelsat is reportedly in talks to raise €1.5 billion to expand its LEO network and support OneWeb, which it acquired in 2023.
For more, see Mobile World Live, Telecoms.com, or Via Satellite.
