The French Ministry of Armed Forces has awarded Eutelsat a €138 million contract to provide secure satellite communication services via the OneWeb constellation. This agreement marks the first operational contract under a broader €1 billion agreement signed between the European satellite operator and the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) in June 2025.
The contract, named CENTAURE, is for an initial commitment of four years and has the potential to be extended, reaching a total value of €350 million over eight years. Through this agreement, the French Armed Forces will gain priority access to the capacity of the OneWeb network, which comprises over 600 satellites in low Earth orbit.
The objective is to bolster the communication capabilities of the French armed forces through a network capable of delivering low-latency and global coverage links. The system will also serve as a support to the already operational French Syracuse IV military constellation, ensuring additional capabilities in the coming years.
A Step Towards Greater European Autonomy
This agreement is part of a larger strategy where several European countries are committed to strengthening their autonomy in the satellite communications sector. In recent years, the importance of secure and always-available networks has become increasingly evident, particularly in military and governmental contexts.
The OneWeb constellation, acquired by Eutelsat and now managed by the French company, is currently one of the leading European satellite infrastructures in low Earth orbit. With its over 600 satellites, the system can provide connections with reduced response times compared to traditional geostationary satellites, a characteristic particularly crucial for many operational applications.
The contract also includes potential enhancements to the OneWeb network’s security features tailored to the needs of the French Armed Forces, though specific technical details have not been publicly disclosed.
The deal comes as Europe is actively working to strengthen its capabilities in satellite communications. A key project in this regard is IRIS², the future European constellation designed to offer secure communication services to governments, institutions, and strategic users.
In recent years, large low Earth orbit satellite networks have gained significant importance. Concurrently, many European countries have begun seeking alternatives developed and controlled within Europe, reducing complete reliance on foreign operators.
While awaiting the service entry of IRIS² in the next decade, France will leverage the OneWeb network to enhance its satellite communication capabilities and access readily available additional services.
