What Happened
Airbus-Led Consortium Wins Major Earth Observation Deal
The French defence procurement agency, the DGA, has awarded a contract worth over €1.5 billion to an Airbus-led consortium for the development of two IRIS military Earth observation satellites. The contract, which runs until the end of the 2030s, covers the design, manufacture, and testing of the satellites, as well as ground systems and in-orbit operations. The IRIS programme aims to deliver sharper images and day-and-night coverage, replacing France’s existing CSO satellites. According to Aviation24.be, the programme remains open to cooperation with allied nations.