Arianespace has been awarded a contract by Airbus Defence and Space to launch two SATCOMBw Stufe 3 military communications satellites for the German Armed Forces. Each satellite will fly on a dedicated Ariane 6 launcher from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana, using the heavy‑lift configuration.
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Briefing
The contract commits two dedicated Ariane 6 launches for Germany’s next‑generation secure military SATCOMBw Stufe 3 system, strengthening Europe‑based launch demand and programme visibility.
The award reinforces ArianeGroup/Arianespace’s role in defence launches and supports commercial launch backlog and industrial revenues; see ArianeGroup’s recent defence work with France’s DGA (design and production) for additional context (France's DGA award to ArianeGroup: https://hype.aero/?story=d7b7e86e-bac7-4f4a-a771-94eeff083abc).
The deal aligns with Europe’s broader push for sovereign space capabilities and growing defence satellite activity, complementing Airbus Defence and Space’s market momentum and ongoing consolidation discussions among major European satellite suppliers (Airbus Defence and Space outlook: https://hype.aero/?story=67e8e154-2322-4acd-ac6e-6031fe513121; talks on a €10bn satellite manufacturing JV: https://hype.aero/?story=7ca3451e-e17f-4645-a07d-536d5dfae6f2).
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(FR) Arianespace to launch German military satellites • aeromorning.com
(PL) European rocket to launch Bundeswehr satellites • space24.pl
(ES) Arianespace to launch German SATCOMBw Stufe 3 defense satellites on Ariane 6 • actualidadaeroespacial.com
(DE) SATCOMBw: Arianespace contracted for satellite launch • hartpunkt.de
Arianespace to launch German defense satellites SATCOMBw Stufe 3 with Ariane 6 • SpaceWatch Africa
(FR) Germany will launch Satcom Bw3 on Ariane 6 • aerospatium.info
Ariane 6 Selected to Launch German Military Communications Satellites • European Spaceflight