Poland has committed 656 million euros ($745 million) to Europe’s IRIS2 satellite constellation, covering nearly 10% of the planned multi-orbit network in what Warsaw described as a strategic investment in secure communications.
The agreement, signed July 21 in Warsaw by Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski and European Commission Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, funds the development of six medium-Earth orbit and six low-Earth orbit satellites that will function as a Polish constellation integrated within the broader IRIS2 network.
A satellite gateway will be built in Warsaw to connect the constellation to the government’s GovNet fiber-optic network. Poland also signed memorandums of understanding with SES and Eutelsat, the two operators leading the IRIS2 program, though the specific terms were not disclosed.
Europe’s Third Flagship
IRIS2 is planned as Europe’s third flagship space program after the Galileo navigation system and the Copernicus Earth observation program. With more than 290 satellites across MEO and LEO, the constellation is designed to provide secure government communications for EU member states alongside commercial broadband connectivity.
The program is funded through a public-private partnership involving the EU budget, individual member states, the European Space Agency, and private sector contributions. Service is targeted to begin in 2030.
Poland is drawing the funds from its National Recovery Plan, a nearly 60-billion-euro package of EU grants and loans originally allocated for post-COVID economic recovery. The Polish government described strategic communications investment as having suffered from “years of neglect” and “technological fragmentation” that the IRIS2 commitment is meant to reverse.
Strategic and Security Dimensions
Kierwinski said the system would provide secure communications for Poland’s police, state fire service, and border guard, addressing what he described as the need to create “an integrated satellite dome” above the country.
“Poland is joining a major European program to build secure satellite communications,” Kierwinski said. “This is a fully independent system, based on European satellites, that will ensure our security and strategic independence.”
Kubilius framed the commitment in geopolitical terms, noting Poland’s position on the eastern edge of both the EU and NATO.
“By integrating the Polish system with IRIS2, Poland chooses to go European instead of going alone,” Kubilius said. “Poland’s investment today will make the entire Eastern Flank stronger. Will make Poland a connectivity hub for the entire Eastern Flank.”