Germany Plans €10 Billion Military Satellite Network to Break Free from Starlink Dependence

2026-01-26 data

Berlin, Monday, 26 January 2026.
Germany’s defense giants Rheinmetall and OHB are developing a sovereign military satellite constellation worth up to €10 billion, positioning the nation as the world’s third-largest space spender after the US and China. The SatcomBw Stage 4 project will launch 100 satellites by 2029, connecting Bundeswehr tanks, ships, and soldiers through secure communications independent of Elon Musk’s Starlink network. This strategic move reflects Europe’s push for technological autonomy amid growing concerns over reliance on foreign commercial satellite services for critical military operations.

Strategic Partnership Takes Shape

Rheinmetall, headquartered in Düsseldorf, and Bremen-based satellite manufacturer OHB are currently in talks to form a joint venture for this ambitious military satellite project [2]. The partnership discussions, confirmed on Monday, January 26, 2026, represent an early-stage collaboration aimed at securing a substantial portion of Germany’s €35 billion military space technology budget [4]. According to a high-ranking Rheinmetall executive, the companies plan to “create a joint venture with OHB similar to the one we have with the Finnish satellite startup Iceye” [6]. This strategic alliance positions both German companies to compete directly with established players like Airbus, which is also expected to participate in the upcoming tender process [6].

Technical Specifications and Timeline

The SatcomBw Stage 4 project will deploy 100 satellites into low Earth orbit, creating a secure communications network specifically designed for military applications [6]. By 2029, this constellation will connect Bundeswehr tanks, ships, and soldiers through independent satellite communications, eliminating reliance on foreign commercial services [6]. The project’s value is estimated between €8 billion and €10 billion, with the tender potentially announced as early as February 2026 [6]. Armin Fleischmann, space coordinator of a division of the German Armed Forces, confirmed that the network will be built “over the next few years, primarily with German companies” [1][4]. The military has completed its specifications, and procurement authorities are preparing to issue the tender [4].

Strategic Military Priorities

Germany’s satellite network development prioritizes NATO’s eastern flank, where the country is establishing a permanent brigade of 5,000 soldiers in Lithuania [1][4]. Fleischmann emphasized that this eastern deployment represents the primary focus, stating that “everything else will follow” [4]. The initiative reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, where commercial satellite services like Starlink proved crucial for maintaining communications after traditional networks were disrupted or jammed [4]. The German military’s push for sovereign capabilities addresses concerns about depending on foreign commercial satellite providers, especially those with ties to foreign governments [4].

Industry Expansion and Market Position

Both companies bring complementary strengths to this partnership, with Rheinmetall expanding beyond its traditional focus on tanks, artillery, and ammunition into the space domain [4]. The company secured its first major space contract at the end of 2025, worth up to €2 billion, partnering with Finnish firm Iceye to build radar satellites at a former car factory [1][4]. OHB, already a supplier of radar reconnaissance satellites to the Bundeswehr, views this project as a strategic opportunity to expand its military segment portfolio amid increasing competitive pressure [1]. Marco Fuchs, OHB’s CEO, has expressed concerns about potential consolidation in the European satellite sector, warning that merging Europe’s two largest satellite makers could “risk penalising competition” [1]. The company recently revised its revenue and profit estimates upward for 2025 and 2026, anticipating growth from increased government space spending [1]. This development positions Germany to become the world’s third-largest space technology investor after the United States and China, according to space consultancy Novaspace [1][4].

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