Finance
EU's Kubilius: confident IRIS2 can start initial services in 2029
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 27, 2026
1 min readLast updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Summary
EU's Kubilius is optimistic about IRIS2 satellite services launching by 2029, enhancing the EU's space capabilities.
EU's Kubilius Optimistic About IRIS2 Launching Initial Services by 2029
Overview of IRIS2 Satellite Initiative
BRUSSELS, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The European Union's multi-orbit array of 290 satellites known as IRIS2 should be able to start initial services in 2029, which would mark more progress in the EU's aims to ramp up its space industry, said EU defence and space commissioner Andrius Kubilius.
Statement from Kubilius
"I have asked all partners to step up and speed up on IRIS2. I am confident we can already deploy initial services by 2029," said Kubilius in a speech in Brussels.
Significance of IRIS2 for Europe
IRIS2 will provide an encrypted backbone for EU governments and public agencies, and it comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and political tensions with the United States have accelerated Europe's drive to support sensitive assets such as satellites, which increasingly overlap with defence.
(Reporting by Julia Payne;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gutpa)
Key Takeaways
- •IRIS2 is a multi-orbit array of 290 satellites.
- •EU aims to start initial IRIS2 services by 2029.
- •IRIS2 will provide encrypted services for EU governments.
- •The initiative is part of EU's space industry expansion.
- •Political tensions have accelerated Europe's satellite efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions about EU's Kubilius: confident IRIS2 can start initial services in 2029
1What is the main topic?
The main topic is the EU's plan to launch initial services of the IRIS2 satellite system by 2029.
2Why is IRIS2 significant?
IRIS2 will provide an encrypted communication backbone for EU governments, enhancing security and defence capabilities.
3Who is Andrius Kubilius?
Andrius Kubilius is the EU defence and space commissioner overseeing the IRIS2 satellite initiative.
