Behind Poland & France's Plan to Secure Military Satellites

France and Poland are developing a joint military satellite system with Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space and Poland's RADMOR, with secure, encrypted communication at the centre of the project.

The agreement was announced during a ceremony attended by Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin.

The programme will deliver a geostationary platform for Polish armed forces with secure communications as the primary function.

The satellite will maintain a fixed position over one area through geostationary orbit.

This design allows defence systems to maintain stable encrypted links without requiring handover protocols between multiple satellites.

The programme demonstrates how European nations are integrating space-based security architecture as the continent positions itself, amid rivals from the US and China.

Anti-jamming and encryption resilience

Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and RADMOR signed an industrial cooperation agreement for the system dedicated to the Polish Ministry of Defence.

The programme operates within the European Commission's Readiness 2030 defence plan, introduced in 2025 to achieve continental defence readiness by 2030.

According to the plan, communications infrastructure is treated as a critical security layer, with the satellite system required to withstand both electronic warfare and cyber attacks.

The platform is designed to resist signal jamming through technical countermeasures. Built-in cybersecurity protections will secure data transmission and network control systems.

Defence communications face threats from electronic interference and network intrusion. The satellite forms part of an end-to-end security framework that integrates transmission protocols and threat protection within a single architecture.

Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, says: "This partnership is what Europe working together is all about.

"Partnering across borders for innovation and industrial competitiveness for a better-connected and safer world.

"This is also a further chapter in Airbus' decades-long partnership with the Polish armed forces and industry."

Security architecture across vendors

Each partner handles a different security domain within the system.

Airbus Defence and Space is managing overall system integration, connecting satellite and ground security components.

Thales Alenia Space leads payload development and mission design, which determines how encrypted communications are processed in orbit.

Secure communications technology and ground infrastructure with integrated security controls, will be provided by RADMOR. 

"We are proud to lead this strategic industrial cooperation, delivering cutting-edge secure communications capabilities to the Polish Ministry of National Defence," says Hervé Derrey, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space.

"This geostationary satellite project will embody the highest standards of resilience, cybersecurity and anti-jamming technologies, reflecting our commitment to strengthening European defence sovereignty.

"Together with Airbus Defence and Space and RADMOR, we are providing Poland's armed forces with a robust, end-to-end solution that meets the challenges of today's complex security environment."

Having a fully integrated system with sovereign control over encryption keys and network management means reduced reliance on external providers.

This approach can deliver greater control over cryptographic operations in defence scenarios.

RADMOR is expanding its security portfolio into satellite systems as part of the programme, building on existing work in radio and secure communications technology.

"We are starting a new chapter in European space cooperation on a scale that will enable the delivery of a reliable system for the Polish Armed Forces," says Bartłomiej Zając, CEO of RADMOR.

"The decision to start space activities at RADMOR was a natural consequence of expanding the company's capabilities, frequency range and communications portfolio.

"Today's battlefield is already closely integrated with space infrastructure; therefore, extending RADMOR's competencies into satellite communications ensures seamless, secure, and resilient connectivity across all operational domains."

Strengthening economic and defence ties between France and Poland, the project underlines growing strategic cooperation, although its financial value remains undisclosed.

Enhancing national space sovereignty, the satellite system gives Poland direct control over its military communications security architecture.

Integrating both space and ground segments within a unified environment, the programme delivers dedicated encryption and network defence capabilities aligned with European security priorities.