France Awards Airbus and Thales Contract for Two IRIS Military Satellites

France’s defense procurement agency awarded Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space a contract to develop the IRIS military satellite system on November 5, 2026, according to reporting on the agency’s announcement. The program calls for two satellites to succeed France’s three-satellite CSO constellation.

Key details

• Airbus leads the industrial team and will develop both satellite platforms, part of the first satellite’s payload, and the ground segment.
• Thales Alenia Space will develop the second satellite’s next-generation payload and contribute to the first satellite and ground infrastructure.
• The reported contract value exceeds €1.5 billion.
• The planned system will collect high-resolution visible and infrared imagery, including nighttime observations, and observe objects in orbit.
• France’s target schedule calls for the first satellite to enter service around 2033, with both satellites in orbit by 2035.
• Reported subcontractors include Lynred, Pyxalis, Sodern, Safran Reosc, and Air Liquide Advanced Technologies.

The IRIS contract is valued at more than €1.5 billion.

Why it matters

The contract covers satellite development as well as user and control ground segments, image-quality systems, and in-orbit operations and maintenance extending into the late 2030s. The program’s stated objectives include Earth observation and space surveillance, and reporting says it will be open to international cooperation.