OHB Wins €1bn SES IRIS2 Satellite Contract
OHB has been awarded a €1 billion contract by SES to build 18 satellite platforms for the MEO segment of Europe's IRIS2 secure communications
OHB has been awarded a contract worth almost €1 billion by European satellite operator SES. The deal, announced on 31 August, covers the development and manufacture of all 18 satellite platforms for the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) component of the €15.6 billion IRIS2 constellation.
OHB described the order as the first major industrial contract awarded since the IRIS2 programme formally entered its implementation phase earlier in August. Each satellite platform is expected to have a launch mass of approximately 2.6 tonnes.
"The contract represents an important step towards realising the next generation of secure and resilient communications infrastructure for Europe," said SES chief product and innovation officer Xavier Bertran.
The IRIS2 Programme Structure
The IRIS2 programme is a European Union initiative to create a secure communications system. Its development is led by the SpaceRISE consortium, which comprises SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat. Following a major programme review known as Rendez-vous 1, the European Commission and SpaceRISE signed an implementation agreement on 6 August 2026, moving IRIS2 into its full-scale deployment phase.
Within the consortium, the work is divided. SES leads the MEO segment. Eutelsat is responsible for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) segment of 330 satellites. Hispasat handles the government ground segment, including antenna infrastructure and control systems. You can explore more about the project's structure and future fixtures.
Segment Responsibilities and Investment
SES stated that with the completion of the Rendez-vous 1 review, it expects to invest up to €1.35 billion in the MEO segment it leads. The newly announced €1 billion contract with OHB is a central part of this investment. The contract focuses solely on the satellite platforms; the payloads will be developed separately. For detailed technical stats on the constellation, further information will be available as development progresses.
| Segment | Lead Company | Number of Satellites |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) | SES | 18 |
| Low Earth Orbit (LEO) | Eutelsat | 330 |
Launch and Service Timeline
The first satellites for the wider IRIS2 constellation are expected to be launched in 2029. Initial services are scheduled to begin in 2030. Neither OHB nor SES has specified whether any of the MEO satellites will be among the first IRIS2 spacecraft launched in 2029. The announcement from European Spaceflight notes this detail remains unconfirmed.
The award to OHB marks a significant step in the materialisation of Europe's ambitious secure communications project, moving it from planning into hardware production. For ongoing updates on the programme's milestones, check the project standings.
