Poland is strengthening its defence infrastructure in space with a new geostationary telecommunications satellite. Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Defence and Space, and Polish company RADMOR will jointly deliver the system for the Ministry of Defence.
A New European Defence Partnership
The agreement was announced during a high-level ceremony attended by Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin.
The project reflects growing defence cooperation between Poland and France. It also supports a wider European effort to reduce strategic dependence on non-European systems. The programme aligns with the European Commission’s Readiness 2030 initiative, launched in 2025 to improve defence preparedness and resilience across the continent.
Why Geostationary Orbit Matters
The satellite will operate in geostationary orbit (GEO), around 36,000 km above Earth, where it can remain fixed over one region of the planet. This makes GEO spacecraft especially valuable for secure military communications, allowing continuous coverage without interruption.
For Poland’s armed forces, the platform is expected to provide reliable links for command, coordination, and operational data exchange.
Built for a Contested Space Environment
Modern military satellites must do more than transmit signals. They also need to survive in an increasingly crowded and contested orbital domain. According to the project partners, the Polish system will prioritise encrypted communications and cyber resilience. It will also be designed to withstand jamming and interference across both its space and ground segments.
Shared Expertise Across Europe
The collaboration combines established European prime contractors with the domestic Polish industry. Each industrial partner will contribute specialised capabilities to the programme.
- Thales Alenia Space brings experience in military payloads and secure satellite systems.
- Airbus Defence and Space adds platform design expertise and large-scale manufacturing capacity.
- RADMOR, part of Poland’s WB Group, will support secure communications systems and national integration.
For Poland, the satellite signals a broader ambition to build long-term national capacity in space technology while embedding that effort within European industrial networks.