Germany Oks €2.2B Satellite Communications Upgrade for Army

The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved a contract for the procurement of new communications satellites for the Bundeswehr on June 26.

This contract includes the acquisition of successor satellites, COMSATBw 1B and 2B, with a total financial requirement of approximately €2.2 billion, covering both procurement and operation costs. The funding for this project will come from the Bundeswehr special fund and the defense budget.

The Bundeswehr's current satellite communications system (SATCOMBw) enables effective and secure global information transmission, essential for self-sufficient and autonomously deployable communications and information services. These services are crucial for the global command and information supply of German forces, including operational contingents and special forces.

The new satellites are expected to begin operations in 2027 and will have a service life of around 15 years. This procurement is part of the SATCOMBw Stage 3 project, which aims to meet increased user requirements and fulfill Germany's NATO obligations in the area of satellite communications.