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EU Expands IRIS² Satellite Constellation to 348 Spacecraft

August 8, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

EU expands IRIS² satellite constellation to 348 spacecraft.
66 satellites added for defence, security, and emergency services.
First launches scheduled for 2029.
Secure governmental communications capacity to increase by 60%.

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Strategic Implications

The expansion of IRIS² may indicate the EU's growing emphasis on secure satellite connectivity for defence and security purposes. This could suggest a shift in European priorities towards enhancing its sovereign capabilities in space, which may have implications for the global space industry and the balance of power in Europe.

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What Happened

European Union Boosts Secure Connectivity for Defence and Emergency Services

The European Commission has signed an implementation agreement to expand the IRIS² secure satellite constellation to 348 spacecraft, with 66 additional satellites dedicated to defence, security, and emergency services. The revised plan aims to provide sovereign, secure, and accredited European connectivity services, with the first launches scheduled for 2029. The programme is expected to increase secure governmental communications capacity by 60% within the EU and 54% worldwide. This development was reported by the European Commission in a press release.

Source | Originally Published: August 7, 2026

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