EU Fast-Tracks $18 Billion IRIS² Satellite Constellation to Bolster Sovereign Defense

The European Union is accelerating its independent satellite project to reduce reliance on non-European infrastructure amidst rising global defense challenges.

The European Union has officially accelerated the development of its IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) constellation, an ambitious $18 billion project designed to establish a sovereign, secure communications network for the bloc. The move signals a strategic push toward technological autonomy as Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on foreign satellite infrastructure. IRIS² is intended to provide high-speed, secure connectivity for both governmental and commercial users across the continent. With security at the forefront, the constellation…