The European Union (EU) has made decisive progress by signing an implementation agreement for the IRIS² satellite project. The initiative aims to establish a dedicated satellite network that provides secure communication links for EU institutions and critical infrastructure.
IRIS² will not only offer encrypted connections but also integrate quantum-resistant defense layers and reliable data routing. The agreement adds 66 satellites, bringing the total to 348. Of these, 330 will be placed in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit.
The initiative comes amid growing geopolitical tensions, particularly related to Russia’s war against Ukraine. With this project, the EU wants to reduce its dependence on providers like Starlink and strengthen digital sovereignty. The first launches are planned gradually from 2029, with European governments and security-related actors as the main users.
Source: de.euronews.com
