{
  "id": 14896034,
  "title": "Europe's answer to Starlink: Who is building IRIS² and what is Germany's role",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/europes-answer-to-starlink-who-is-building-iris2-and-what-is-germanys",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T07:18:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/16/europes-answer-to-starlink-who-is-building-iris-and-what-is-germanys-role"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In recent weeks, the Ukrainian army reported interference with the Starlink satellite service, causing connection drops for users traveling at speeds over 160 kilometers per hour, such as drones. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk denied responsibility for the restriction, which was initially partially restored but remained in place.\n\nStarshield, a service under direct US government control, is distinct from Starlink, which caters to private and business users. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticized Elon Musk for potentially politicizing his products, noting that Poland has contributed a significant portion of the Ukrainian terminals.\n\nEurope has been working towards developing its own satellite network, named IRIS², for resilience, interconnectivity, and security via satellites. The system aims to provide secure connections for governments, businesses, and citizens, and to address mobile coverage gaps across Europe and Africa. Future encryption will utilize quantum technology through the European quantum communication infrastructure, EuroQCI.\n\nIn August, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium finalized the implementation plan. The network will consist of 348 satellites—330 in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit—with additional 66 satellites dedicated to defense, security, and emergency services. This will boost secured capacity for public-sector users by 60% in the EU and 54% worldwide. The first satellites are slated for launch in 2029, with initial services beginning around 2029 or 2030.\n\nGermany plays a significant role in this project through OHB, a space company based in Bremen. OHB signed a €1 billion contract with satellite operator SES for 18 medium Earth orbit satellites in August. Despite early disputes over Germany's contribution, OHB's CEO, Marco Fuchs, views the program as crucial for European independence. Germany's share in the project has raised questions, with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs demanding clarification on the German industry's participation and value creation.\n\nWhile IRIS² is the EU's primary initiative, the German Federal Defense (Bundeswehr) is also planning its own satellite network, SATCOMBw 4. This national project, financed by the federal government, aims to provide a constellation similar to Starlink but smaller, initially covering NATO's eastern flank. The project, valued between €8 and €10 billion, is expected to involve up to 100 satellites in low Earth orbit by 2030. OHB is collaborating with Rheinmetall in a joint venture to bid for the contract, which may be awarded by the turn of the year.",
  "summary": "Who controls the satellites on which armies rely? Reports of Starlink limits in Ukraine highlight the question. The EU is building IRIS², a 348-satellite network with a Bremen manufacturer.",
  "key_points": [
    "IRIS² is Europe's satellite network for resilience and security.",
    "Germany contributes €1 billion to IRIS² via OHB's contract with SES.",
    "Germany's Bundeswehr plans its own satellite network, SATCOMBw 4."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}