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Germany's OHB lands first major EU IRIS² satellite contract worth nearly €1 billion - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Germany's OHB lands first major EU IRIS² satellite contract worth nearly €1 billion

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on August 31, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: August 31, 2026

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OHB Lands €1 Billion EU IRIS² Satellite Contract for Secure Network

Major Milestone in European Satellite Communications

Contract Details and Significance

BERLIN, Aug 31 (Reuters) - German satellite maker OHB said on Monday it had signed a contract worth nearly €1 billion ($1.2 billion) to develop and build 18 satellites for the European Union's IRIS² secure communications programme.

First Major Industrial Order for IRIS²

The contract, awarded by satellite operator SES, is the first major industrial order announced under the EU's IRIS² constellation, Europe's flagship effort to develop sovereign satellite communication capabilities.

Consortium and Project Partners

SES is responsible for the programme's medium-Earth orbit segment within the SpaceRISE consortium, which also includes Eutelsat and Hispasat.

Timeline and Future Outlook

The first IRIS² satellites are scheduled for launch in 2029, with initial services expected from 2030.

Article Credits

(Writing by Miranda Murray and Maria Rugamer, Editing by Friederike Heine and Milla Nissi-Prussak)

Key Takeaways

  • OHB’s contract with SES marks the first major industrial award for the IRIS² secure satellite constellation under the EU’s SpaceRISE public–private partnership.
  • IRIS² will feature a hybrid constellation of 330 LEO and 18 MEO satellites, with first launches in 2029 and operational services from around 2030.
  • The programme reflects Europe’s push for sovereign, secure, resilient satellite communications, backed by over €10 billion in funding from EU, ESA and private contributors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of the OHB contract for the IRIS² programme?
The contract is worth nearly €1 billion for developing and building 18 satellites.
Who awarded the IRIS² satellite contract to OHB?
The contract was awarded by satellite operator SES on behalf of the EU programme.
What is the IRIS² programme?
IRIS² is the EU's flagship initiative to develop sovereign secure satellite communication capabilities.
When are the first IRIS² satellites scheduled to launch?
The initial satellites are scheduled for launch in 2029, with services expected from 2030.
Which companies are part of the SpaceRISE consortium?
SpaceRISE includes SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat.

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