Insider Brief:
- Germany’s Bundeswehr has chosen Airbus to lead the SATCOMBw 3 project
- The €2.1 billion contract entails the development, launch, and operation of two advanced geostationary satellites and an upgraded ground segment for a period of 15 years.
- Key components and services, such as advanced payload integration and solar arrays, will come from German companies, including OHB from Bremen and several smaller enterprises.
Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have chosen Airbus to lead the SATCOMBw 3 project as announced by the company. This contract, valued at €2.1 billion, covers the development, launch, and operation of two advanced geostationary satellites and an upgraded ground segment for 15 years.
Airbus will build and deliver two new military GEO telecommunications satellites based on the Eurostar Neo platform. These satellites, each weighing approximately 6 metric tons, will replace the current COMSATBw 1B and 2B. They will feature cutting-edge technology to handle the increasing demand for secure data transfer and will support the German armed forces’ communications needs into the 2040s.
Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, discussed the importance of this contract for maintaining a robust strategic partnership with the Bundeswehr. He highlighted the critical role of secure military communications in an unstable geopolitical environment. The SATCOMBw 3 system aims to meet Germany’s growing military communication needs and support NATO’s communication commitments.
A notable aspect of this project is the involvement of the German industrial base. Key components and services, such as advanced payload integration and solar arrays, will come from German companies, including OHB from Bremen and several smaller enterprises. This approach not only strengthens Germany’s industrial capabilities but also ensures that the project remains a national effort.
The Bundeswehr’s SATCOMBw system is vital for autonomous and secure global communication and information services for German forces. The SATCOMBw 3 project will enhance these capabilities, ensuring that the Bundeswehr can maintain its global communication needs and fulfill its NATO obligations.
Image credit: Airbus
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