Airbus to deliver new satellite communications framework to the European Defense Agency EDA
The European Defense Agency (EDA) has awarded to Airbus a four-year framework contract to provide a new satellite communications framework for military and civil missions of the European Union and its member states. According to Airbus, the deal is worth tens of millions of euros.
The agreement, titled ‘EU SatCom Market’, will enable EU member states to merge their satellite communications requirements and get harmonized, cheaper, and real access to services. The project involves 32 contributing members, including 20 European defense ministries.
Contributors shall speedily and efficiently get access to satellite solutions and services through EDA, which since 2012, has been providing the members of the ‘EU SatCom Market’ project with satellite communications capabilities.
EU SatCom Market services have been successfully applied for several years in several EU civilian and military missions and operations. Also, the armed forces of EU member states employ satellite communications solutions.
The ‘EU SatCom Market’ contract includes the provision of satellite communications (in C, Ku, Ka, and L frequency bands), the trade and leasing of terminals, as well as the delivery of ‘turnkey solutions,’ mainly in zone of operations outside the EU. For this specific contract, Airbus has teamed up with Marlink, which will supply some of these terminals and particular L- and Ku-band services.
“With this satellite communications program, Airbus contributes to the construction of joint capabilities for European defense and to its missions to preserve civil and military peacekeeping,”
Dirk Hoke, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Defence and Space.
Airbus’ new satellite communications solutions can be employed worldwide. They play a crucial role in European civil and military peacekeeping and security operations, as well as in technical and economic development and cooperation missions.
A precursor in telecommunications solutions for military and governmental users, Airbus has exclusive knowledge in supplying satellite communications on a worldwide scale and in all commercial and military frequency bands (L, C, Ku, Ka, X, and UHF). These services can also advantage European operators of essential services.
