EU Proposes Ukraine‘s Inclusion in Secure Satellite Communications Program
Krakow – The European Commission has proposed allowing EU member states to begin negotiations with Ukraine regarding its participation in the EU’s government satellite dialog program,GOVSATCOM,on October 28th.
GOVSATCOM is a platform designed to provide secure communication capabilities by leveraging and sharing existing satellite resources owned by EU member states - including France, Italy, Spain, and Luxembourg – and accredited private operators. The system offers access to these capacities for various governmental needs.
This initiative aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense and resilience against russia by providing access to secure, reliable, and rapid satellite communications through the facilities of EU member states.
“By deepening our cooperation with Ukraine, we strengthen our shared security and our ability to act in a rapidly changing world,” stated Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, security and Democracy, during the Commission meeting.
The proposal signifies a deepening partnership with Ukraine, a non-EU member state, and is intended to contribute to greater stability across the European continent.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defense and space, added that this move represents “a decisive step toward a stronger, more united Europe that can protect its citizens on the ground and in space.”
Currently in its implementation phase,GOVSATCOM relies on existing national and commercial satellite systems. Beyond 2025, a potential second phase could involve developing new space infrastructure or capabilities through public-private partnerships if current capacity proves insufficient to meet growing demand.
Challenges to Implementation
Ukraine’s access to GOVSATCOM,and potentially the EU’s future multi-orbit communications constellation,IRIS,requires several procedural and institutional steps. Ukraine must first formally request EU support, prompting an assessment of its specific capacity needs and those of the broader Black Sea region.
Formal international agreements,the procurement of communication resources from European providers (both governmental and commercial),and crucially,security accreditation of the GOVSATCOM Hub by the EU Space Program’s Security Accreditation Board are also necessary.
The accreditation of the GOVSATCOM Hub presents a potential hurdle. As a secure system connecting users to national and commercial networks, it is indeed not yet fully operational and requires accreditation to become so. The current regulatory framework is designed with the assumption that only EU member states will utilize the Hub, meaning adjustments might potentially be needed if Ukraine is granted access.
Furthermore, the financial implications of Ukraine’s participation remain unclear. GOVSATCOM operates as a shared service architecture, allowing participating countries to utilize each other’s satellite capacities. Member states must now determine how Ukraine’s access will be funded,considering options such as cost-sharing or direct coverage through EU or national budgets. Currently, no specific financial details or timelines have been announced.
