EU and South Korea Sign MoU on IRIS² Secure Satellite Communications
The European Commission signed an administrative arrangement with the Republic of Korea on IRIS², a multi-orbit constellation for secure communication. The EU decided last month to accelerate the system by expanding it to more than 350 satellites, adding capacity for defence, security and emergency services, with first satellites launching from 2029. Agreements were already signed with Norway and Iceland, and one with Ukraine will follow.
Impact and considerations
Expanding IRIS² to more than 350 satellites and adding partners such as South Korea reshapes the supply chain and geopolitical cooperation around Europe's secure communications infrastructure, creating procurement and collaboration windows for satellite, ground-segment and communications suppliers ahead of 2029.
Key points
- The EU and South Korea signed an administrative arrangement on IRIS², deepening cooperation on secure space infrastructure.
- IRIS² is a multi-orbit constellation for secure communication, accelerated last month and expanded to more than 350 satellites.
- The expansion adds capacity for defence, security and emergency services, with first satellites launching from 2029.
- The EU had already signed agreements with Norway and Iceland, and an agreement with Ukraine will follow.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- European Commission
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 17 Sept 2026, 17:05
- Page published
- 17 Sept 2026, 18:00
- Last updated
- 17 Sept 2026, 17:05
- Original links
- European Commission Press Corner：Statement by Commissioner Kubilius at the signature ceremony of the MoU Republic of Korea on IRIS² (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 17 Sept 2026, 17:05