What Happened
Next Generation Military Satellites to Enhance Strategic Intelligence
The French Directorate General of Armament has awarded a $1.7 billion contract to a team consisting of Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space for the procurement of two high-resolution Earth-observation satellites. The satellites, part of the IRIS program, are designed to provide strategic intelligence and surveillance capabilities to the French armed forces. The program includes the development, manufacturing, and testing of the satellites, as well as in-orbit operations and maintenance. The new satellites will replace the current Optical Space Component and are expected to be in orbit by 2035, with the first scheduled to become operational by 2033. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.