Eutelsat Expands LEO Connectivity Across Greenland
  • Eutelsat to provide OneWeb LEO connectivity under the Enhanced Satellite Connectivity Project for Greenland
  • Project will connect critical infrastructure and remote communities through Eutelsat’s longstanding partnership with Tusass
  • European satellite capabilities will strengthen resilience and sovereignty across Greenland and the Arctic

Paris, 7 September 2026 – Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 – Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) today announced its participation in the Enhanced Satellite Connectivity Project for Greenland, a new initiative supported by the European Union, the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark to extend reliable connectivity to rural and remote communities across the country.

The project was launched today at Eutelsat’s ground station in Greenland, in the presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

The European Union’s support for the project also reflects its broader commitment to strengthening European sovereignty and resilience in critical infrastructure. By supporting a European satellite provider to deliver essential connectivity in Greenland, the initiative helps ensure that critical communications across Europe and the Arctic are underpinned by European capabilities.

Under the project, Eutelsat will provide OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity in partnership with Tusass, Greenland’s national telecommunications provider and the project’s lead partner. Building on their longstanding relationship, the two companies will extend reliable communications to remote settlements and critical infrastructure in areas where Greenland’s geography and climate make terrestrial networks particularly difficult to deploy.

Operating in polar orbit, Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation is particularly suited to Greenland and the wider Arctic, providing high-speed, low latency connectivity at high latitudes. By extending this capability to more remote communities, the project will support Greenland’s priorities for digital inclusion while strengthening resilient and sovereign communications infrastructure in a strategically important region.

The project also brings together broader European satellite capabilities, including those of HispaSat, and builds on the cooperation between the partners within SpaceRISE, the consortium delivering the EU’s IRIS² secure connectivity programme. Eutelsat is a core partner in SpaceRise and will contribute its LEO capabilities to IRIS².

Eva Bisgaard, President for Connectivity at Eutelsat, said: “Eutelsat and Tusass have worked together for many years to address Greenland’s unique connectivity needs, and this project marks an important new step in that relationship. With support from the European Union, Greenland and Denmark, we will extend OneWeb LEO connectivity to more remote communities, supporting everyday access to communications while strengthening the resilient, sovereign infrastructure Greenland needs for its future. The Arctic is strategically important to Europe, and we are proud that our European satellite capabilities can make a practical difference for the people who live there.”

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Eutelsat today announced its participation in the Enhanced Satellite Connectivity Project for Greenland, a new initiative supported by the European Union, the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark to extend reliable connectivity to rural and remote communities across the country.

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French naval ship on calm water with snow-capped mountains in the background.

Demonstrating Operational Connectivity with the French Navy

For naval forces operating far from shore, reliable connectivity is no longer simply a convenience. LEO satellite connectivity for naval operations is becoming a critical component of modern satcom architecture, enabling crews to access information, communicate effectively and maintain low-latency communication links wherever missions take them.

For the French Navy's Force d'Action Navale, and specifically the Frégate Guépratte, Eutelsat's OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity is helping change what is possible at sea, supporting both mission-critical operations and the daily lives of the crew.

From limited bandwidth to always-on satellite internet at sea

Naval vessels operate across vast geographical areas, often far beyond the reach of terrestrial communications infrastructure. Traditional connectivity limitations can therefore create challenges when crews need to exchange data, access digital tools or communicate with teams onshore.

Following the introduction of Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO service aboard the Frégate Guépratte, part of the Force d'Action Navale, the vessel has experienced a significant improvement in connectivity. According to the crew, the measured improvements include:

  • Around four times more bandwidth, giving personnel higher throughput for data-intensive tasks
  • Significantly fewer connectivity blind spots across the maritime domain
  • More consistent access to the digital tools and communications systems crews rely on throughout their missions

For naval operations, greater bandwidth is about much more than faster internet. It supports the increasing digitalisation of vessels, strengthens situational awareness and enables faster ship-to-shore data exchange, all while keeping teams connected through Eutelsat's satellite connectivity solutions for defence forces across remote operational environments.

Why Low Earth orbit satellites make a difference at sea

Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO constellation consists of more than 600 satellites orbiting approximately 1,200 kilometres above the Earth, delivering high-speed, low-latency connectivity across land, air and sea. Unlike a traditional GEO satellite positioned tens of thousands of kilometres out, this lower altitude keeps signals travelling a far shorter distance.

That proximity matters. Because LEO satellites orbit much closer to Earth than geostationary satellites, they support applications that depend on rapid, responsive data exchange, exactly what ship-to-shore communications increasingly demand.

For vessels underway, this blend of performance and global coverage means connectivity remains available as ships move between operational areas, supporting everything from cloud-based tools to real-time ship-to-shore communication.

Resilience and sovereignty at the heart of naval communications

Performance is only one part of the equation. For governments and defence organisations, resilience, security and sovereignty have become increasingly important considerations when selecting communications infrastructure.

The experience aboard the Frégate Guépratte and within the Force d'Action Navale highlights this strategic dimension. For the crew, the ability to transmit data using a sovereign European satellite infrastructure is an important part of the solution.

Having access to an additional high-performance connectivity layer also strengthens the vessel's communications architecture. Built-in redundancy and encryption help safeguard sensitive data as ships operate in increasingly contested environments, where jamming and other forms of interference remain a persistent risk.

Rather than depending on a single connectivity technology, satellite networks complement existing systems, giving crews additional options when operating far from shore. For defence organisations, this diversity helps maintain operational continuity while supporting greater control over critical communications infrastructure.

Better connectivity for the people behind the mission

Connectivity at sea isn't only about operational performance, it's about people.

Naval deployments can keep sailors away from family for months, and reliable personal internet access makes a real difference to life aboard a vessel. With the Guépratte's expanded connectivity, crew members can access personal communications more easily during downtime.

This mirrors a wider trend, for example the Royal Navy has turned to LEO satcom to support crew welfare on ships from tropical seas to the polar region, recognising morale as part of operational readiness.

The lesson is the same: connecting the vessel matters, but so does connecting the people aboard it.

What to look for in LEO satellite providers for naval forces

Choosing a LEO satellite provider is a strategic decision, not just a technical one. Naval decision-makers should evaluate partners against criteria that reflect operational reality at sea:

  • Global coverage with low latency: consistent performance across remote maritime routes, supporting real-time command and control
  • Sovereign, European infrastructure: reducing dependency on non-European systems for sensitive defence communications
  • Security and encryption: robust safeguards for data in transit, meeting defence-grade requirements
  • Multi-orbit resilience: combining GEO and LEO layers for redundancy when conditions or coverage change
  • Terminal ecosystem and rapid deployment: a proven LEO terminal range that integrates easily aboard existing vessels

Eutelsat is uniquely positioned here, operating both an established GEO fleet and a fully deployed LEO constellation. This dual-orbit approach, supported by Eutelsat's LEO equipment range, gives naval forces genuine flexibility and continuity of service.

Building the connected naval vessel

Naval operations are becoming increasingly data-driven, with situational awareness, command and control, and even unmanned surface vehicle (USV) support relying on dependable data links.

As vessels integrate more digital systems, communications infrastructure must evolve alongside them. High-performance satellite connectivity delivers the bandwidth, responsiveness and geographical reach required to support this transformation, and LEO satellite connectivity for naval operations is proving central to that shift.

The Frégate Guépratte and the wider Force d'Action Navale offer a real-world example: increased bandwidth, greater continuity of service, access to sovereign European infrastructure and improved connectivity for the crew.

As governments increasingly prioritise resilient, sovereign communications, LEO connectivity will become integral to the architecture supporting naval forces wherever their missions take them.

Frequently asked questions

Does adding OneWeb LEO connectivity mean replacing a vessel's existing satellite systems?

  • No. Satellite networks are designed to complement existing systems rather than replace a single connectivity technology. LEO can be added as an additional high-performance layer, giving crews more options and greater redundancy when operating far from shore.

How does LEO connectivity support unmanned or uncrewed naval systems, such as USVs?

  • As naval operations become increasingly data-driven, dependable data links are needed not only for situational awareness and command and control, but also for USV support. LEO's low-latency, high-throughput connectivity provides the responsive links these systems rely on, making it a natural extension of the vessel's wider communications architecture.

What protects LEO connectivity from jamming and interference in contested naval environments?

  • The satellites composing Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO constellation move quickly through orbit, meaning beams handing off between satellites happen constantly. Combined with built-in redundancy and encryption, this makes the network harder to disrupt than a static system, helping safeguard sensitive data even as ships operate in increasingly contested environments where jamming remains a persistent risk.

Why does Eutelsat maintain both GEO and LEO capabilities instead of moving fully to LEO for naval forces?

  • Combining GEO and LEO layers gives naval forces multi-orbit resilience: GEO delivers stable, wide-area coverage while LEO adds low latency and higher throughput. If conditions or coverage change in one layer, the other helps maintain continuity of service, which is why Eutelsat positions its dual-orbit approach as a source of genuine flexibility for naval forces.

What does "sovereign European satellite infrastructure" mean in practical terms for naval communications?

  • It means naval data is transmitted over a satellite network designed and controlled within Europe, reducing dependency on non-European systems for sensitive defence communications. For governments and defence organisations, this translates into greater control over the infrastructure carrying their critical communications, alongside the resilience and security benefits outlined above.

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Eutelsat and Poland Sign IRIS² Cooperation MoU
  • Strengthening cooperation with the Polish space ecosystem to support Europe's future secure satellite communications infrastructure
  • Polish companies to access Eutelsat facilities to develop and test future IRIS² user terminals
  • Discussions launched on reserved OneWeb LEO capacity to support Poland ahead of IRIS² deployment


Paris, 28 July 2026 – Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Poland to deepen cooperation in support of Europe's future secure satellite communications infrastructure under the IRIS² programme.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Warsaw by Jean-François Fallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, and Tomasz Szymański, Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Interior and Administration of the Republic of Poland, during a ceremony attended by Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space and Marcin Kierwiński, Minister of the Interior and Administration of the Republic of Poland. The signing marks another important milestone in the implementation of IRIS² and reflects the shared commitment of Poland, Eutelsat and the European Union to strengthening Europe's secure, resilient and sovereign satellite connectivity capabilities.

The Memorandum of Understanding complements the agreement signed on the same occasion between the European Commission and the Republic of Poland on Poland's additional investment in the IRIS² programme. Together, these agreements reinforce Poland's contribution to Europe's flagship secure connectivity programme, combining increased financial investment with concrete industrial and operational cooperation.

The MoU reflects the shared ambition of Eutelsat and Poland to strengthen Europe's secure and sovereign connectivity capabilities, contribute to Europe’s technological leadership and strategic autonomy, and support the continued development of the Polish space ecosystem.

Under the agreement, Eutelsat and Polish institutions will collaborate on the development of secure satellite communications in Europe, with a particular focus on the deployment and future evolution of the low Earth Orbit (LEO) part of the IRIS² constellation.

As part of this cooperation, Eutelsat will provide Polish space companies with access to its facilities to test and validate IRIS² user terminals, helping accelerate innovation and supporting the integration of Polish industry into the European secure connectivity ecosystem.

The parties also intend to explore the provision of up to 2 Gbps of reserved and prioritised OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) capacity over Poland ahead of the entry into service of IRIS², with the objective of concluding a commercial agreement by June 2027. By leveraging OneWeb’s operational low Earth orbit (LEO) network, Poland would benefit from resilient, low-latency satellite connectivity ahead of IRIS² becoming operational, providing an effective bridge to Europe’s future sovereign secure connectivity system.

Jean-François Fallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, said: "Secure low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity has become a strategic capability for Europe. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Poland through this Memorandum of Understanding, reflecting our shared commitment to Europe's next generation of secure satellite communications. By combining OneWeb's operational capabilities today with the future potential of IRIS², we are creating tangible benefits for Poland while helping build Europe’s secure connectivity and architecture."

The MoU forms part of the implementation of Poland's participation in the European Union Secure Connectivity Programme and further reinforces Eutelsat's role within the SpaceRISE consortium, where it is leading the deployment and operation of the low Earth orbit (LEO) component of the IRIS² constellation.

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Eutelsat announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Poland to deepen cooperation in support of Europe's future secure satellite communications infrastructure under the IRIS² programme.

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AstraPNT

Government Networks for National Security and Emergency Response 

Governments require ultra-secure, sovereign communications for mission-critical operations where data integrity is essential. In partnership with trusted defence contractors and licensed government service providers, Eutelsat delivers high-speed, low-latency LEO connectivity with enhanced data assurance, encryption and protective features for reliable communications in contested environments.

The Challenge: Cyber Security Across Contested Environments

Defence and security operations face unprecedented cyber threats that target data transmission at every stage—from initial capture through to storage and network interconnection. In contested environments, adversaries deploy sophisticated electronic warfare systems to jam communications, spoof GNSS signals and intercept sensitive information. The interference can create denied areas across the electromagnetic spectrum that degrade command and control capabilities.

The operational risks are acute:

  • High-speed data transmission under fire: Military forces require consistent, real-time connectivity across land, maritime and airborne platforms to sustain situational awareness and coordinate rapid response
  • Security blind spots during transmission: Customers using networks such as the internet, which is considered untrusted and insecure, introduce vulnerabilities where data integrity cannot be guaranteed. This exposes sensitive information to interception or manipulation precisely when mission success depends on more secure channels
  • Traffic disruption and detection risks: Large-scale electronic warfare targets both communications and positioning systems, degrading platforms, disrupting logistics coordination and increasing the risk that emitting systems will be detected

When terrestrial networks fail or become compromised in hostile zones, forces lose the ability to transmit intelligence, coordinate operations and maintain the communication superiority essential to mission effectiveness and personnel safety.

The Need: Sovereign Wireless Network Infrastructure

Defence and security authorities require a global capability with interoperable, rapidly deployable connectivity that can withstand interference, eavesdropping and hostile disruption. In critical environments they need communications with more sovereign control over management of the encryption, data routing and subscriber authentication for the network, as well as the ability to operate independently of shared public infrastructure.

Critical technical requirements include:

  • Local Home Subscriber Server (HSS) for secure, in-country storage and management of subscriber authentication data
  • Scalable encryption that ensures all data is encrypted both at rest and in transit
  • Sovereign-owned infrastructure that isolates mission-critical traffic from commercial and public internet paths
  • GNSS obfuscation and masking ensures sensitive operations can be performed without risk of location being exposed

These capabilities ensure that users can maintain operational continuity, data integrity and secure network access even in contested or denied environments.

The Solution: Secure Private Satellite Networks with VPN Encryption

Eutelsat has partnered with licensed government contractors and world leaders in telecommunications software to design sovereign communications networks within short timeframes. A range of solutions can deliver a private network architecture built on LEO, bonded or multi-orbit resilience, combining different orbital capabilities to ensure reliable connectivity and quality of service in contested environments. A LEO system is inherently more resilient to hostile behaviours such as jamming or spoofing. Each one of the more than 600 satellites in our constellation is constantly on the move, switching frequencies every ~11 seconds as they hand on to the next.

Key components include:

  • Private PoPs per service domain equipped with GNSS obfuscation and local Home Subscriber Server (HSS) for enhanced data protection
  • Type-approved ruggedised terminals designed for rapid deployment across land fixed, land mobility and maritime defence missions
  • AstraPNT for alternative Positioning, Navigation and Timing when GNSS is unavailable
  • Undisclosed Mode to obfuscate user terminal location information during tactical operations
  • Global capabilities to assist end-to-end, secure, private, encrypted traffic between sites anywhere in the world for mission-critical voice, video and data flows

The architecture supports VPN encryption across satellite paths, maintaining secure, low-latency channels for mission-critical voice, video and data flows.

For more on Eutelsat's capabilities, explore our private network solutions.

Benefits and Impact: Examples of Operational Excellence

Eutelsat's sovereign and private network solutions deliver measurable operational advantages for defence and security missions and emergency response units:

  • Secure, resilient global communications with assured coverage, maintaining continuity even when terrestrial infrastructure fails or is compromised
  • Enhanced digital scope to modernise government services, enabling real-time data exchange and improved situational awareness across land, sea and air domains
  • Improved decision-making for national security, surveillance and emergency response coordination, powered by low-latency LEO connectivity
  • Reduced risk from downtime on public internet networks, with private PoPs and multi-orbit architectures providing independent failure domains
  • Operational efficiency gains through faster deployment, automated provisioning and reduced mission planning complexity

These outcomes enable defence agencies to maintain information superiority and mission readiness, even under contested or degraded conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of a government private network?

  • Eutelsat's defence deployment provides a clear example of a turnkey government private network in action. The solution combines low Earth orbit satellite connectivity with dedicated private points of presence (PoPs) for individual service branches, each equipped with GNSS obfuscation to keep private data private. Local Home Subscriber Server (HSS) protection ensures sensitive subscriber data remains under sovereign control, whilst ruggedised, type-approved terminals enable secure communications across land, sea and air operations. This architecture supports high-speed, on-the-move data transmission for tactical deployment, delivering the resilience and encryption layers that defence authorities require. Such use cases demonstrate how private network infrastructure can be tailored to meet the unique operational and security demands of government missions in contested environments.

What are the disadvantages of using public networks for defence?

  • Public networks like the internet introduce significant vulnerabilities for defence operations. Shared infrastructure exposes sensitive communications to potential interception and cyber threats, precisely when data integrity cannot be compromised. Unlike dedicated systems, public networks lack sovereign control—meaning routing, encryption standards and access policies are managed by commercial operators who may not align with national security requirements. Service disruption becomes a critical risk in conflict zones where adversaries can target or degrade shared infrastructure to disrupt command-and-control channels. For defence and security authorities operating in hostile or covert environments, the absence of guaranteed encryption, priority access and operational sovereignty makes public network reliance a strategic liability.

How does a private network differ from a public network for government use?

  • The fundamental difference lies in control, security and operational assurance. A private network provides dedicated infrastructure that government agencies own or manage directly, enabling end-to-end encryption, sovereign data handling and customised access restrictions. This ensures sensitive information never traverses shared, commercial pathways where it might be exposed to external threats. Private networks also deliver guaranteed service levels, priority bandwidth and rapid failover mechanisms tailored to mission-critical requirements. Each access point is authenticated and monitored, supporting strict compliance with defence and security standards. In contrast, public networks rely on shared routing, variable quality of service and third-party governance, making them unsuitable for operations where confidentiality, resilience and absolute reliability are non-negotiable.

How do companies deliver secure government private network solutions?

  • Delivering secure government private networks requires certified partnerships, sovereign infrastructure and proven operational frameworks. Eutelsat works with licensed government contractors and telecommunications software providers to design and deploy networks that meet stringent defence and security requirements. Service providers build dedicated ground segments, including private PoPs and local HSS components, to ensure subscriber data remains within national boundaries and under government control. Ruggedised, type-approved hardware is deployed for field operations, supporting rapid installation whilst maintaining encryption and access controls. Security monitoring is embedded throughout, with real-time visibility, predictive failover and compliance with regulatory frameworks. By integrating multi-orbit satellite connectivity—combining GEO and LEO capabilities—service providers eliminate single points of failure and sustain operations even during extreme disruption.

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Eutelsat secures capacity contract under French Armed Forces NEXUS framework
  • Call-off contract under the NEXUS framework agreement for the immediate deployment of sovereign Low Earth Orbit capabilities
  • With a duration of eight years and a maximum ceiling of €350 million, the CENTAURE contract has been awarded with an initial firm commitment of €138 million over a period of four years
  • An immediately operational solution to meet the Defence sector’s strategic requirements ahead of the deployment of IRIS²


Paris, 15 June 2026 – Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 – Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) today announced the signature, through the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), of the CENTAURE contract, marking the first call-off contract under the €1bn NEXUS framework agreement with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans inked in June 2025.

This new milestone marks the first concrete implementation of the NEXUS project (Neo-Space for Multiple Secure Uses), a strategic initiative led by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans to strengthen France's military satellite communications capabilities by combining sovereign assets with trusted commercial capacity. Against a geopolitical backdrop characterised by growing demand for secure, resilient and sovereign connectivity, France is continuing to enhance its space capabilities while preparing for the deployment of the future European IRIS² constellation.

The total CENTAURE contract is valued at circa €350 million1, for a duration of up to eight years. It is comprised of an initial firm commitment of €138 million2 over a period of four years for the provision of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite capacity across multiple areas of strategic interest to the French Armed Forces as well as an initial stage aimed at enhancing the security of Eutelsat's OneWeb services.

This approach ensures the French Armed Forces benefit from sustained access to low-latency, globally available satellite resources, while maintaining operational continuity and flexibility during the ramp-up of the European IRIS² programme.

Through its OneWeb constellation, the only global LEO constellation currently operated by a European provider and readily available for governmental use, Eutelsat delivers secure operational capabilities tailored to the requirements of today's most demanding defence missions.

The NEXUS agreement demonstrates how trusted European commercial space infrastructure can complement sovereign defence assets and accelerate the deployment of next-generation capabilities. As space becomes an increasingly critical component of national security, Europe must be able to rely on resilient, secure and sovereign connectivity solutions under its own control.

Jean‑François Fallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, said: "The signature of the CENTAURE contract marks a major milestone in the implementation of the NEXUS framework agreement and reflects the continued trust placed by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces in the capabilities of our OneWeb constellation. In a profoundly transformed strategic environment, secure, resilient and low-latency connectivity has become a decisive driver of military operational effectiveness. With an infrastructure that is immediately available and field-proven, Eutelsat is now delivering a concrete response to the needs of the French Armed Forces.”

Patrick Pailloux, Director General for Armaments (DGA) added: "With the CENTAURE call-off contract, France is taking another step forward in the modernisation of its military satellite communications capabilities. Recent conflicts have demonstrated the critical importance of diverse, secure, resilient and sovereign connectivity for the conduct of modern operations. By relying on a trusted European solution that is immediately available and provides global low-latency coverage, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans is acquiring the necessary resources to address today’s operational challenges while laying the groundwork for the future sovereign European capabilities that will be delivered through the IRIS² programme."


Circa €300m net of value added tax (VAT)

Circa €115m net of value added tax (VAT)

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Eutelsat today announced the signature, through the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), of the CENTAURE contract, marking the first call-off contract under the €1bn NEXUS framework agreement with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces in inked June 2025.

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Eutelsat signs French Armed Forces NEXUS contract
  • Call-off contract under the NEXUS framework agreement for the immediate deployment of sovereign Low Earth Orbit capabilities
  • With a duration of eight years and a maximum ceiling of €350 million, the CENTAURE contract has been awarded with an initial firm commitment of €138 million over a period of four years
  • An immediately operational solution to meet the Defence sector’s strategic requirements ahead of the deployment of IRIS²


Paris, 15 June 2026 – Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 – Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) today announced the signature, through the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), of the CENTAURE contract, marking the first call-off contract under the €1bn NEXUS framework agreement with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans inked in June 2025.

This new milestone marks the first concrete implementation of the NEXUS project (Neo-Space for Multiple Secure Uses), a strategic initiative led by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans to strengthen France's military satellite communications capabilities by combining sovereign assets with trusted commercial capacity. Against a geopolitical backdrop characterised by growing demand for secure, resilient and sovereign connectivity, France is continuing to enhance its space capabilities while preparing for the deployment of the future European IRIS² constellation.

The total CENTAURE contract is valued at circa €350 million1, for a duration of up to eight years. It is comprised of an initial firm commitment of €138 million2 over a period of four years for the provision of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite capacity across multiple areas of strategic interest to the French Armed Forces as well as an initial stage aimed at enhancing the security of Eutelsat's OneWeb services.

This approach ensures the French Armed Forces benefit from sustained access to low-latency, globally available satellite resources, while maintaining operational continuity and flexibility during the ramp-up of the European IRIS² programme.

Through its OneWeb constellation, the only global LEO constellation currently operated by a European provider and readily available for governmental use, Eutelsat delivers secure operational capabilities tailored to the requirements of today's most demanding defence missions.

The NEXUS agreement demonstrates how trusted European commercial space infrastructure can complement sovereign defence assets and accelerate the deployment of next-generation capabilities. As space becomes an increasingly critical component of national security, Europe must be able to rely on resilient, secure and sovereign connectivity solutions under its own control.

Jean‑François Fallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, said: "The signature of the CENTAURE contract marks a major milestone in the implementation of the NEXUS framework agreement and reflects the continued trust placed by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces in the capabilities of our OneWeb constellation. In a profoundly transformed strategic environment, secure, resilient and low-latency connectivity has become a decisive driver of military operational effectiveness. With an infrastructure that is immediately available and field-proven, Eutelsat is now delivering a concrete response to the needs of the French Armed Forces.”

Patrick Pailloux, Director General for Armaments (DGA) added: "With the CENTAURE call-off contract, France is taking another step forward in the modernisation of its military satellite communications capabilities. Recent conflicts have demonstrated the critical importance of diverse, secure, resilient and sovereign connectivity for the conduct of modern operations. By relying on a trusted European solution that is immediately available and provides global low-latency coverage, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans is acquiring the necessary resources to address today’s operational challenges while laying the groundwork for the future sovereign European capabilities that will be delivered through the IRIS² programme."


 

Circa €300m net of value added tax (VAT)

Circa €115m net of value added tax (VAT)

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Eutelsat today announced the signature, through the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), of the CENTAURE contract, marking the first call-off contract under the €1bn NEXUS framework agreement with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces in inked June 2025.

Read more press releases

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Mynewsdesk Source ID
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