EU's IRIS² Satellite Programme: €15.6B Deal, 348 Satellites, and Europe's Sovereign Starlink Rival Explained

IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the EU's answer to a growing strategic problem: dependence on non-European satellite networks for government communications and defence. Here is everything you need to know about the programme, its costs, its key players, and why it matters geopolitically.

The expanded constellation: 348 satellites across two orbits

The final constellation design comprises:

• 330 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• 18 satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)

This represents an increase of 66 satellites compared to earlier plans, with the extra capacity specifically dedicated to defence, security, and emergency services . The multi-orbit architecture is designed to combine the strengths of both LEO and MEO to deliver resilient connectivity where it is needed .

The €15.6 billion cost breakdown

The total programme budget is €15.6 billion (~$17 billion), covering development, deployment, and operation .

Hispasat, the Spanish satellite operator, has been allocated a budget of over €1.6 billion for its role as prime contractor for antennas, control systems, and ground segment infrastructure . The company is also leading a LEO layer for direct-to-device and Internet of Things connectivity, with up to €600 million committed specifically for that layer .

For context, the initial concession contract signed in December 2024 had a budget of €10.55 billion and planned for 290 satellites — the agreement has expanded both the scope and the cost .

SpaceRISE consortium: the three companies building IRIS²

The SpaceRISE consortium is made up of three major European satellite operators :

• SES (Luxembourg) — core operator and consortium lead
• Eutelsat (France) — core operator
• Hispasat (Spain) — named prime contractor for antennas, control systems, and ground segment infrastructure, with a budget exceeding €1.6 billion

The European Space Agency (ESA) is supporting the programme through a Partnership Project contract with the consortium .

Defence and security: a quantum-secured network for governments

IRIS² is primarily a secure governmental communications network for EU member states, not a consumer internet service . It is designed to deliver resilient, quantum-secured communications for:

• Defence and military operations
• Crisis management
• Critical infrastructure protection

In terms of capacity, the system will boost EU government capacity by 60%, providing sovereign connectivity that does not rely on non-European infrastructure . This is a crucial capability for a bloc that has previously depended on US-owned satellite networks for secure government functions.

Geopolitical context: Europe's sovereign Starlink rival

IRIS² is widely described as Europe's sovereign rival to Starlink — but with a fundamentally different mission profile . While Starlink is a consumer broadband service, IRIS² is built for government-grade security and resilience.

The programme's acceleration is driven by three geopolitical pressures:

• Tensions with Russia: The need for independent, secure military-grade communications not subject to external control or interference
• Dependence on US systems: Reducing reliance on US-owned satellite networks (Starlink and others) for critical government and defence functions
• Digital sovereignty push: The EU's broader strategy to control its own digital infrastructure, data security, and connectivity, ensuring resilience even during geopolitical crises

The programme was formally awarded to SpaceRISE in October 2024, with negotiations running from January to August 2026 before the final implementation agreement was signed . With first launches now confirmed for 2029, IRIS² represents one of the largest strategic infrastructure projects in Europe's history.