Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space have received the contract to replace the aging SpainSat military communications satellite for Spain. The award continues their existing partnership with Italian aerospace group Leonardo, which is also part of the joint space venture.
The new satellite will provide secure communications for the Spanish armed forces and governmental users, operating from a geostationary orbit. It will feature upgraded payloads that deliver higher data rates and improved resilience against interference and jamming.
Both Airbus and Thales highlight their extensive heritage in building communications satellites for European and international customers. Their combined expertise is expected to reduce risk and ensure high reliability for the replacement system.
Leonardo’s contribution focuses on the payload development and ground segment integration. Through the joint venture, the partners aim to share development costs and shorten the schedule, targeting a launch around 2027.
The contract reflects the growing importance of sovereign space capabilities for European NATO allies. Spain seeks to strengthen its autonomous communications infrastructure while benefiting from the synergies of the European space industry.