Securing the LEO Constellation
Eutelsat is committing approximately €1 billion to procure 229 additional satellites from Airbus Defence and Space. These units aim to maintain and extend the firm's low Earth orbit satellite network through the year 2034. This new order arrives shortly after a previous deal for 440 spacecraft, bringing the total number of new units under this procurement strategy to 669. The firm finalized this move following an announcement at the International Space Summit held in Paris on September 12, 2026.
Work begins immediately under an Authorisation to Proceed agreement. Engineers at Airbus will start the initial industrial processes to ensure these satellites meet delivery schedules. Eutelsat confirmed the first batch of the existing 440-satellite order arrives next quarter, with launch operations starting shortly after. The company intends to integrate the 229 new units into a phased rollout, managing the replenishment and capacity needs of the constellation over the next decade.
Technical Upgrades and Financial Planning
Design specifications for the new satellites include advanced digital channelisers. These components improve onboard data processing and increase operational flexibility for the fleet. Eutelsat added that the architecture supports hosted payloads, allowing customers to install specialized equipment on the orbiting units. This design change aims to increase revenue potential for each satellite deployed into the network.
Management emphasized that this capital expenditure remains within the current financial framework. They stated the move will not impact the company's existing investment plan through the 2029 financial year. Eutelsat maintains that OneWeb represents the backbone of its near-term growth strategy. By securing this volume of satellites, the company aims to lock in service continuity before the commercial launch of the IRIS² infrastructure.
Long-term Strategy and Market Positioning
Jean-François Fallacher, the chief executive officer of Eutelsat, described this development as a move to strengthen their sovereign connectivity options. The firm holds a position as the sole European operator of a functional global LEO network. Fallacher noted that the procurement reflects rising market demand for satellite-based internet and connectivity solutions. The company anticipates these moves will establish a stable foundation for future operations.
IRIS² forms the next phase of the firm's broader plan. Eutelsat will lead the deployment and management of the LEO segment for this European project. The company expects the IRIS² constellation to enter service by mid-2032, offering double the capacity of current OneWeb levels. These two systems will function as complementary networks. By building out this dual-layered approach, the company prepares to meet the evolving communications requirements of military and commercial clients across Europe through the mid-2030s.