Poland’s large contribution shifts its role in Europe’s secure satellite communications, raising regional resilience and industrial opportunities. The agreement involves public and private partners.
Poland is investing 2.8 billion zlotys (about €656 million) in creating the European secure communications system IRIS2, becoming one of the largest participants in this EU strategic project.
The agreement in Warsaw was signed by Marcin Kierwiński, Poland’s Minister of the Interior and Administration, and Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space.
According to the PAP agency, the country’s contribution will amount to about 10% of the total project cost. As a result, Poland will join EU countries that will play a leading role in the development of secure space communications, and will also become one of the main security guarantors in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe.
Key provisions of the agreement
Investment amount: 2.8 billion zlotys (~€656 million); Poland’s share is about 10% of the total project cost.
Strategy: development of an independent secure communications system as part of the European IRIS2 grouping.
Infrastructure: creation of a ground-based system control center, integrated with the state GovNet network.
Timelines: the first elements of the system will become operational in 2029, with full deployment in 2031–2032.
Poland is joining a major European program to create secure communications. This will be a fully independent system that will guarantee our security and complete communications independence
– Marcin Kierwiński
He added that the project is a response to contemporary security challenges, including Russia’s war against Ukraine, hybrid threats, and risks associated with natural disasters.
a great day for Poland, the eastern flank of NATO and the entire European Union
– Andrius Kubilius
The Deputy Minister of the Interior of Poland, Tomasz Szymanski, signed a memorandum with SES and Eutelsat, which are part of the SpaceRISE consortium and responsible for creating the IRIS2 satellite grouping. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the project will also open new opportunities for nearly 400 space industry companies in the country and will promote the development of its own high-tech solutions.
IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the EU’s flagship space program, which envisages a grouping of nearly 300 satellites in low- and medium-Earth orbits. The system will provide secure satellite communications for government bodies, the defense sector, business, and citizens of EU countries.
The first elements of the system are expected to become operational in 2029, with full deployment anticipated in 2031–2032.
IRIS2 is positioned as a key EU initiative in space technologies, which will enhance infrastructure resilience and data security among member states, and will support the development of national capabilities in the field of high technology.
This move underscores Poland’s role as one of the leading partners in Europe’s space agenda.