Nazarii Savitskyi
From Dependence to Strategic Autonomy
IRIS² and the Future of EU Satellite Communications
AIES Focus 2026/2
27.08.2026 / Europäische Sicherheit und Verteidigung / Globale Dynamiken
#IRIS² #EU #sovereignty #hybrid #governance #space
This paper analyses the role of space-based communication technologies in the European Union’s security policy, with a particular focus on the IRIS² programme as a key pillar in building the EU’s strategic autonomy in satellite communications. It explores how the EU’s dependence on non‑European and commercial satellite operators, as well as lessons from recent conflicts, notably the war in Ukraine, are reshaping approaches to secure connectivity.
To answer the question of how IRIS² contributes to the EU’s strategic autonomy, this analysis assesses its legal, political and strategic implications for EU security and defence. The paper is framed within a multi‑level approach that covers supplier, operational and technological autonomy, as well as the influence of external actors and commercial satellite service providers.
The analysis focuses on the programme’s structural constraints, including the institutional complexity of its governance, financial uncertainty, and challenges associated with the concession model, as well as the impact of hybrid threats on the resilience of the EU’s satellite infrastructure.
The paper argues that IRIS² should not be understood as a commercial counterpart to global constellations, but rather as an instrument to strengthen control over critical communication infrastructure and reduce dependence on non‑European operators. It concludes that the programme’s effectiveness will depend above all on the European Union’s ability to ensure coherent governance, financial sustainability, and rapid decision-making in times of crisis.