The Bundeswehr has awarded Airbus a prime contract worth EUR 2.1 billion to provide its SATCOMBw 3 next-generation secure military satellite communications (satcom) system, which includes geostationary satellites as well as the ground segment, launches and operations for 15 years, Airbus announced on 4 July 2024.
The spacecraft are due to be deployed before the end of the decade.
“After the success of the SATCOMBw Stage 2 programme, which we have been delivering since 2009, this latest contract reinforces our strategic partnership with the Bundeswehr, providing them with a greatly enhanced secure milsatcom capability that is future proofed into the 2040s,” Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “At a time when Western democracies are challenged and where the European institutional space ecosystem is struggling, we are excited and grateful to develop and build this leading-edge system. Long-term partnerships are crucial to guaranteeing essential sovereignty and capability, and protecting our armed forces in the increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.”
The contract covers the design, integration, test and in-orbit delivery of two new Airbus-built military geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) telecommunications satellites, which are the successor communications satellites to COMSATBw 1B and 2B. It also includes upgrading of the existing ground segment to operate the new satellites as well as operational services for 15 years, with the possibility of an extension.
The new-generation Airbus satellites are based on the Eurostar Neo platform and will weigh around 6 tonnes. They will have extensive capabilities to keep pace with the rapid changes in digitalisation and the constantly increasing volume of data transfer required. They will also feature the latest state-of-the-art technologies, according to Airbus.
A key element of the overall contract is an in-depth German value chain involving partners such as Bremen-based OHB and numerous smaller German companies. Central elements, including the guidance and integration of the advanced payloads, the solar arrays and overall operation of the spacecraft, will be from Germany.
The Bundeswehr’s SATCOMBw is vital for providing German forces with autonomous and independently deployable communications and information services. It ensures the global command and information capability of German armed forces such as operational contingents and special forces. The SATCOMBw 3 project also aims to ensure that Germany’s NATO commitments in this area will continue to be met in the future.
