German armed forces create a satellite system for the military for 2.1 billion euros

In early July 2024, the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) signed a contract with Airbus. It provides for the creation of a secure military satellite system of a new generation worth approximately €2.1 billion.

The SATCOMBw 3 system will include geostationary satellites and the ground segment. The contract covers the design, integration, testing and orbiting of two new military-grade Airbus communications spacecraft. They would succeed COMSATBw communications satellites 1B and 2B. The work also involves upgrading the existing ground segment to operate new satellites. In addition, the contractor will provide services for the operation of the system for 15 years with the possibility of extension.

Airbus

The designed Airbus spacecraft will be based on the Eurostar Neo platform. The weight of new generation satellites will be approximately 6 tons. They will have extensive functionality to support rapid changes in the field of digitalization, taking into account the constantly growing volume of transmitted data. It is assumed that the main components and components for the satellites, including the means of guidance and integration of the improved payload, solar panels and other elements, will be delivered from Germany.

It is planned that the Bundeswehr satellite communication system will be used to provide autonomous communication and information services. The platform will provide "global command and information capabilities for the German Armed Forces," including for task forces and special forces. With SATCOMBw 3, the Bundeswehr intends to meet the growing demands for high-quality satellite communications.^[1]

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