Luxembourg-Based Firm Aims to Provide Sovereign SATCOM Solutions Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Huntsville, Ala. – Following its $3.1 billion acquisition of Intelsat General last month, SES Global, a satellite communications (SATCOM) firm based in Luxembourg, is now focusing on expanding its presence in the European defense market, according to a top executive.
Geopolitical Environment Fuels Demand for Sovereign SATCOM
„The geopolitical environment, especially since last year, has made it clear to European nations and others that there is a need to look at their own more sovereign elements when addressing SATCOMs and other satellite-based services,” said Philippe Glaesener, head of SES Space & Defence, in an interview leading up to the annual Space & Missile Defense Symposium.
Expanded Fleet and Ground Network Offer One-Stop-Shop for Armies
With the Intelsat acquisition, SES now boasts a combined fleet of 120 satellites—90 in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) and 30 in medium Earth orbit (MEO). This, coupled with a larger inventory of ground networks, teleports, and fiber, positions SES as a comprehensive „one-stop-shop” for militaries worldwide, Glaesener explained.
Multi-Orbit Approach Enhances Resiliency
SES’s new multi-orbit footprint, which includes partnerships with low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite operators, provides the resiliency that military users increasingly require in the face of growing on-orbit threats.
Meeting the Needs of Smaller European Militaries
Glaesener noted that while larger armies may invest in their own systems, many smaller European countries lack the resources to do so. These nations may instead turn to the commercial market to create sovereign networks with the assistance of major commercial players like SES.
Space as a Pillar of Modern Armies
„If you discuss with an increasing number of armies, space has become first, a pillar of their new armies. They want to be in resilient space, meaning they want to have access to every orbit, to every network, in order to be able to actually switch between orbits, between systems, and create a reliable network,” Glaesener said.
Enhanced Connectivity and Protected Data Downlinks
SES’s expanded capabilities now include a wide network of ground stations, allowing the company to offer defense departments protected data downlinks with the ability to re-route traffic in case of interference.
Luxembourg Government Partnership and GovSat Program
SES is also expanding its collaborative military satellite communications program with the government of Luxembourg, which provides capacity to NATO allies and the US. The partners launched the first GovSat bird in 2018 and plan to develop a second satellite with improved capabilities.
Pushing into the US Market
While the European defense market is a key target, SES is also continuing its push into the US, with its American arm, SES Space & Defense, recently awarded an $89.6 million contract to provide the US Army with satellite communications services.
