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France awards Airbus and Thales Alenia Space contract to develop two IRIS military imaging satellites

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The French Defence Procurement Agency has awarded Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space a contract to develop IRIS, a two-satellite, ultra-high-resolution optical observation system. The satellites are intended to replace France’s CSO fleet by 2035, with improved imagery and space-surveillance capabilities.

Discovered 2026-11-09T23:05:09.698214-08:00 | 2026-11-09T23:05:09.698214-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • IRIS will provide France with two new military optical observation satellites, designed to replace the CSO fleet by 2035 and improve imagery and space-surveillance capabilities.
  • Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space will jointly lead the program, giving both suppliers a central role in France’s next-generation military space capability.

Reported By

AeroTime SpaceWatch Africa actualidadaeroespacial.com
Sources Tracked
4
First Seen
2026-11-09T23:05:09.698214-08:00
Latest Update
2026-11-10T00:49:10.902504-08:00
Coverage
Defense

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