Finance
France, Poland Boost Defence Ties With Military Satellite Project
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 20, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 20, 2026
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France and Poland will jointly develop a geostationary military communications satellite under a project involving Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and RADMOR, reinforcing European defence autonomy under the EU’s Readiness 2030 plan.
France and Poland Partner to Build Military Satellite, Expanding Defence Ties
Strengthening Economic and Defence Collaboration Between France and Poland
By Gianluca Lo Nostro and Mateusz Rabiega
Joint Satellite Project Announcement
GDANSK, Poland, April 20 (Reuters) - France and Poland will build a telecommunications satellite for the Polish military, the companies involved in the project said on Monday, as Paris and Warsaw strengthen their economic and defence ties.
Companies Involved in the Satellite Development
Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space and Poland's RADMOR will jointly develop a satellite in geostationary orbit, which will support military communications for Poland's armed forces.
Deal Details and European Defence Readiness
The value of the deal, announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the Polish city of Gdansk on Monday, was not disclosed. The initiative is part of the European Commission's flagship Readiness defence plan to get the continent ready to defend itself by 2030, the companies said in a statement.
Strategic Importance of Satellite Independence
Reducing Reliance on Global Rivals
Europe has been seeking alternative, homegrown satellite services to counter global rivals and reduce reliance on Starlink amid growing concerns about the political unpredictability of its owner, tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Geostationary vs. Low Earth Orbit Satellites
Unlike Starlink's satellites in low Earth orbit, a geostationary spacecraft can cover large regions from a fixed position over 30,000 km above Earth, though with slower speeds.
Broader Defence and Political Cooperation
Summit Discussions and Defence Spending
Macron and Tusk, two of the most pro-European Union leaders in the bloc, will also discuss topics including nuclear deterrence and energy during the summit in Gdansk, the Elysee said on Thursday.
Cooperation Treaty and Mutual Assistance
Deepening Military and Technological Links
France and Poland, which has the highest defence spending as a percentage of GDP among NATO members, signed a cooperation treaty last year that includes a mutual assistance clause and a pledge to deepen military and technological links between the two countries.
(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro and Mateusz Rabiega in Gdansk; Editing by Keith Weir)
Key Takeaways
- •The satellite project enhances Europe’s secure military communications and reduces reliance on commercial systems like Starlink.
- •Poland, as NATO's highest relative defence spender (around 4.7% of GDP in 2025), underscores its commitment to bolstering continental security.
- •This initiative aligns with the European Commission’s Readiness 2030 strategy, aimed at strengthening EU defence capabilities by the end of the decade (Readiness 2030).
Frequently Asked Questions about France, Poland boost defence ties with military satellite project
1What is the purpose of the France-Poland military satellite project?
The project aims to build a telecommunications satellite to support military communications for Poland's armed forces and strengthen European defence capabilities.
2Which companies are involved in the France-Poland satellite project?
Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and Poland's RADMOR are jointly developing the satellite.
3How does the new satellite differ from Starlink's satellites?
Unlike Starlink's low Earth orbit satellites, the new satellite will be geostationary, offering wider coverage from a fixed position but with slower speeds.
4What role does the European Union play in this defence project?
The satellite project is part of the European Commission's Readiness defence plan to enhance EU self-defence capabilities by 2030.
5Was the value of the France-Poland satellite deal disclosed?
No, the value of the deal was not disclosed.
