Airbus has received a $2.3 billion contract to supply the German Armed Forces with geostationary military communications satellites.
The agreement requires developing and deploying two communications spacecraft to replace Germany’s existing telecommunications satellites, COMSATBw 1B and 2B.
Airbus said it is expected to deliver the hardware before the decade ends.
The European aerospace giant will also provide other services, including upgrading the ground facilities to operate the upcoming satellites and lending operational support for the spacecraft for 15 years.
According to Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn, the strategic partnership will provide the Bundeswehr with a secure satellite communications capability “that is future-proofed into the 2040s.”
“Long-term partnerships are crucial to guaranteeing essential sovereignty and capability and protecting our armed forces in the increasingly unstable geopolitical environment,” he said.
Airbus will use the Eurostar Neo platform to build the military satcoms. Each system will weigh around 6 metric tons and feature capabilities to accommodate digital upgrades and process massive amounts of data transfer.
Airbus will work with German suppliers to execute the program, meaning the satellites will source key components such as solar arrays and payload guidance and integration from within Germany.