Thales Alenia Space announced a contract on September 10, 2026, to provide digital payloads for the European Union's IRIS² constellation. Thales holds a 67% stake in the joint venture, while Leonardo owns 33%. The partnership will supply equipment for 330 telecommunications satellites.
This initiative establishes secure and resilient satellite communication services across Europe. The project secures a critical role for Thales in developing Europe's independent satellite infrastructure.
This involvement reinforces long-term revenue visibility for the company's space division.