MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF LITHUANIA - FIRST OPERATIONAL USE OF SECURE EU SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS FOR CYPRUS - Filenews 11/3
Cyprus has completed the first acquisition and operational use of secure satellite communications services through the EU's GOVSATCOM Hub, in a development that, as stated in a statement by the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday, constitutes an important step for European government satellite connectivity.
According to the announcement, Cyprus, which holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, has been connected to the GOVSATCOM Hub since the start of its initial operations in January 2026 and has now successfully completed the first acquisition and operational deployment of the relevant services, demonstrating the speed, efficiency and high level of security of the system to meet government communication needs.
GOVSATCOM is managed by the European Commission and implemented by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), while the initial operations of the Hub were launched following a decision of the 27 member states in the Security Accreditation Council, the announcement states.
In addition, the GOVSATCOM Hub currently provides secure government satellite services brought together by five Member States, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain, and makes them available to all EU Member States.
As noted, the services provided by Cyprus include Greek government satellite capacity provided by Hellas Sat and were effectively used by Cypriot government users, including for security and security purposes along the south-eastern borders of the Union.
The Greek government satellite capacity provider responded promptly and provided the requested services in line with the program's expectations, demonstrating, according to the announcement, the high level of readiness of European government satellite providers.
EUSPA oversees the definition, development and operations of the GOVSATCOM Hub and supports the European Commission in the procurement of satellite capacities, as well as in the preparation of the IRIS² multi-orbital array under development, services of which are expected to be available from 2029 onwards, it is noted.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Defence states that this development marks a new era of enhanced European capabilities, improved cooperation between member states and a more integrated and resilient framework of government satellite communications at the European level.
