Space to Secure & defend
Thales Alenia Space provides a broad range of space-based solutions to protect national sovereignty. We have developed globally recognized expertise in telecommunications systems for military or dual (civil-military) applications. In addition we produce Earth observation systems using very-high-performance optical or radar instruments, and we supply control and integration centers.
Secure telecommunications
Over several decades, Thales Alenia Space has been prime contractor for a number of military satellite communications, working for armed forces from around the world. For instance, we’re one of the major contributors to three generations of Sicral satellites for the Italian Ministry of Defense, four generations of Syracuse satellites for the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, to name a few. Through programs like Sicral and Athena-Fidus, Thales Alenia Space has always played a pivotal role in joint European spaceborne defense.
We are also making a major contribution to the Spanish government’s SPAINSAT NG program. Built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor and based on the all-electric Spacebus NEO platform, France’s SYRACUSE 4A military satellite was launched in 2021. In 2024, SYRACUSE 4B, for which Thales Alenia Space was responsible for the payload, was successfully launched to join its predecessor, forming the SYRACUSE IV military telecommunications satellite segment.
Earth observation systems for surveillance
Military or dual observation systems guarantee national sovereignty and security by generating invaluable data for border and maritime surveillance, intelligence, mapping and other critical functions. Dual observation systems are also highly useful during natural disasters, providing decision-makers with the vital information needed to quickly identify damaged areas and alert search & rescue organizations. Many countries have also called on us to supply autonomous spaceborne intelligence systems, capable of delivering high-resolution images. Thales Alenia Space has built up long-standing and unrivaled expertise in very-high-performance observation systems calling on both optical and radar sensors. For example, we built two generations of COSMO-SkyMed radar satellites for the Italian space agency and defense ministry.
This dual observation system meets government requirements, while also performing an environmental monitoring mission. These very-high-performance satellites confirm Thales Alenia Space’s world leadership in radar observation systems. We also leveraged this heritage to address export markets. For example, in 2018 we were chosen by South Korea to build four synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observation satellites. Our solutions based on high and very-high-resolution optical instruments have also enjoyed export success. Thales Alenia Space is also the exclusive supplier of very-high-resolution optical instruments for French intelligence satellites, including the optical payloads on Helios, Pleiades and CSO.
New Sovereignty Imperatives in Europe and beyond
With the return of high-intensity conflicts, new requirements are emerging for defense, especially in secure telecommunications, Earth observation and satellite navigation. Since 2025, many countries have turned to European space industry partners for the capabilities they need to safeguard their sovereignty in space — especially in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America.
Demand for defense telecommunications systems is surging. Nations are seeking robust, resilient solutions — hardened against jamming and cyberattacks — to support their armed forces on operations. Building on our proven expertise in constellations, Thales Alenia Space offers three telecommunications satellite product lines tailored to commercial, defense and government needs.
High Revisit Approach for Near Real-Time Surveillance
At Thales Alenia Space, we’ve capitalized on our expertise in optical and radar observation systems and telecom constellations to address new market segments, especially space surveillance and Earth observation at high revisit rates.
For example, our company will supply 13 satellites for Italy’s IRIDE observation constellation, including 12 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and a high-precision optical satellite.
IRIDE is a pioneering Earth observation program and will use a range of remote sensing instruments and technologies, from microwave radar imaging to optical sensors operating across multiple spatial resolutions and frequency bands. Supported by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and led by the European Space Agency in partnership with the Italian Space Agency, the IRIDE program will offer unrivalled prospects for environmental monitoring, resource management and sustainability.
Thales Alenia Space has also launched its advanced ALL-IN-ONE arth observation solution, which combines optical and radar microsatellites to guarantee high revisit rates and control capabilities for near real-time surveillance day and night, in all weathers. We secured our first order for this highly innovative solution from Indonesia in 2023. ALL-IN-ONE is one of the leading surveillance options for nations seeking to safeguard their space sovereignty.
IRIS²: the future European constellation to ensure the continent’s telecom space sovereignty
IRIS² program is crucial for Europe's space sovereignty in telecommunications enabling to secure governmental, institutional, economical players, and citizen data. It perfectly embodies the new multi-orbit approach chosen by telecom operators for satcom constellations of the future. More precisely, this future 5G constellation is set to provide secure government communication services for civil protection and emergency management agencies, security and defense communications, and commercial B2B services. Our teams are proud to work on the Initial Phase to engineer the IRIS² system and secured payload solutions.
Numerous launches for Earth observation surveillance and defense telecommunications
In 2025, 6 defense or dual-use satellites, including Thales Alenia Space technologies, were launched. To name a few, French surveillance satellite CSO-3 was successfully orbited in March aboard an Ariane 6 launcher. The very-high-resolution optical instrument flying on the 3 CSO satellites is a marvel of technology built by our company. Moreover, the Korea 425 system was completed with the launch of its final two radar satellites, totaling four.
Italy's third COSMO-SkyMed Second-Generation radar satellite was also successfully launched in early 2026 to support both environmental monitoring and defense activities. We also had the honor of being chosen by GovSat (LuxGovSat S.A.), a public-private joint venture between the Luxembourg government and satellite operator SES, to build its future geostationary defense telecommunications satellite, GovSat-2. Providing secure and jam-resistant telecommunications services, this satellite will strengthen Luxembourg's sovereignty in the field of defense satellite telecommunications.
