IRIS² and the Shaping of Europe’s Defence Space Market

The IRIS² secure connectivity programme, launched by the European Union as part of its broader strategic autonomy agenda, represents more than a technological response to resilient communications needs. It operates as a mechanism through which access to the defence–space interface is regulated, structured, and selectively expanded. Central to this process are two clusters within the European Defence Fund (EDF) framework—Space-Quantum and Space-Hypersonics—each embedding operational requirements into industrial eligibility conditions. This report examines how these clusters function as formal instruments translating EU strategic priorities into concrete market filters. IRIS² as Strategic Infrastructure: The EU’s new IRIS² secure satellite constellation is explicitly framed as a defense and security asset, not merely a civilian connectivity project. Like the Galileo navigation system (which offers the PRS encrypted service), IRIS² will include a governmental service for security and defence uses [1] [2] . IRIS² was conceived in response to EU-recognized gaps in resilient, sovereign communications: EU institutions and Member States identified that Europe’s current satellite communications for government are insufficiently secure and assured [3] . Accordingly, IRIS² is being developed as a multi-orbit constellation (initial 290 satellites by 2030) providing global coverage and high-speed, low-latency encrypted links for governmental users [4] [5] .