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Cyprus: First Operational Use of Secure EU Satellite Communications

Published March 11, 2026, 12:11
Cyprus: First Operational Use of Secure EU Satellite Communications

Cyprus has successfully completed the first acquisition and operational use of secure satellite communication services via the EU's GOVSATCOM Hub, a significant step for European governmental satellite connectivity. Cyprus, holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, has been connected to the Hub since January 2026 and utilized Greek governmental satellite capacity from Hellas Sat for security and protection purposes along the southeastern borders of the Union. The GOVSATCOM is managed by the European Commission and implemented by the European Union Space Programme Agency (EUSPA). The Hub provides secure satellite services aggregated from five member states (France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain) and makes them available to all member states. The Greek side responded promptly and provided the requested services in accordance with program expectations. The EUSPA oversees the development and operations of the GOVSATCOM Hub and supports the European Commission in the procurement of satellite capacities, as well as in the preparation of the multi-orbital constellation IRIS², whose services are expected to become available from 2029. This development marks a new era of enhanced European capabilities, improved cooperation, and a more comprehensive and resilient framework for governmental satellite communications at the European level.