Press release —
Eutelsat procures a further OneWeb 229 LEO satellites from Airbus
- 229 additional satellites to assure service continuity up to full commercial availability of IRIS2
- Further enhancing capacity, performance, and embarking hosted payload capabilities
- Addressing the growth potential of the LEO market and the expanding role of satellite connectivity worldwide
Paris, 10 September 2026 – Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 – Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) today announced at the International Space Summit in Paris an important step in assuring and enhancing service continuity of its OneWeb constellation, with plans to procure 229 additional OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites from Airbus Defence and Space.
Eutelsat has signed an Authorisation to Proceed (ATP) with Airbus Defence and Space covering initial industrial activities for the 229 satellites. They are planned in addition to the 440 satellites already procured from Airbus, bringing the total of new OneWeb satellites with Airbus to 669.
With the first satellites from the existing order expected to be delivered next quarter, the additional 229 satellites will enable Eutelsat to continue progressively replenishing and expanding OneWeb through 2034, securing continuity of service while unlocking additional capacity and capabilities for existing and new customers.
The additional satellites will include advanced digital channelisers to enhance onboard processing, efficiency and flexibility, as well as capabilities to embark hosted payloads.
The procurement of these satellites, for an estimated investment of €1 billion, is fully consistent with Eutelsat’s financial framework, and does not alter its capital expenditure plan up to FY 2029.
The investment marks a further step in Eutelsat’s long-term ambition for LEO. Eutelsat is the only European operator of a fully operational global LEO network, and the plans announced today reflect its strong confidence in OneWeb, the growth potential of the LEO market and the expanding role of satellite connectivity worldwide.
Looking ahead, Eutelsat will build on this position through IRIS², leading the design, deployment and operation of its LEO segment, whose commercial Ku-band constellation is expected to be operational by mid-2032. Building on the success of OneWeb, IRIS² will provide Eutelsat with access to more than twice OneWeb’s current capacity along with next-generation capabilities.
Together, the continued expansion of OneWeb and the deployment of IRIS² create a powerful and complementary roadmap for Eutelsat’s LEO growth -- OneWeb delivering global connectivity today and expanding through the next decade, and IRIS² providing the next generation of European sovereign connectivity.
Jean-François Fallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, said: “This is an exciting next step for OneWeb and for Eutelsat’s LEO strategy. With the first satellites from the 440 due for delivery and launch soon, our replenishment programme is moving forward. The planned addition of 229 more satellites will further strengthen OneWeb, while IRIS² will bring significant new capacity and capabilities. Together, they give us a powerful roadmap to serve our customers, grow our LEO business and reinforce our role at the heart of Europe’s sovereign connectivity future.”
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About Eutelsat
Eutelsat is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. Eutelsat was formed through the combination of the Company and OneWeb in 2023, becoming the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator with a fleet of 31 Geostationary (GEO) satellites and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of more than 600 satellites. Eutelsat addresses the needs of customers in four key verticals of Video, where it distributes around 5,800 television channels, and the high-growth connectivity markets of Mobile Connectivity, Fixed Connectivity, and Government Services. Eutelsat's unique suite of in-orbit assets and ground infrastructure enables it to deliver integrated solutions to meet the needs of global customers. The Company is headquartered in Paris and Eutelsat employs more than 1,600 people across more than 75 countries. Eutelsat is committed to delivering safe, resilient, and environmentally sustainable connectivity to help bridge the digital divide. The Company is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL) and the London Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL).
Find out more at www.eutelsat.com
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DISCLAIMER
The forward-looking statements included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on management’s views and assumptions as of the date of this document. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks. For illustrative purposes only, such risks include but are not limited to: risks related to the health crisis; operational risks related to satellite failures or impaired satellite performance, or failure to roll out the deployment plan as planned and within the expected timeframe; risks related to the trend in the satellite telecommunications market resulting from increased competition or technological changes affecting the market; risks related to the international dimension of the Group's customers and activities; risks related to the adoption of international rules on frequency coordination and financial risks related, inter alia, to the financial guarantee granted to the Intergovernmental Organization's closed pension fund, and foreign exchange risk. Eutelsat Communications expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any projections, forecasts or estimates contained in this document to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. The information contained in this document is not based on historical fact and should not be construed as a guarantee that the facts or data mentioned will occur. This information is based on data, assumptions and estimates that the Group considers as reasonable.
