Airbus Defence and Space has secured a contract from Hisdesat to design and manufacture SpainSat NG-III, Spain’s next-generation secure communications satellite. The project marks another significant milestone in Europe’s efforts to strengthen secure satellite communications for defence and government operations while enhancing strategic autonomy for Spain and its allies.
As the prime contractor, Airbus will be responsible for the satellite’s design, integration and testing, leveraging its extensive experience gained from the successful development of the SpainSat NG satellite programme. The project will also continue to support Europe’s aerospace industry by engaging a broad network of Spanish and European technology partners.
SpainSat NG-III builds on the capabilities of the existing SpainSat NG satellites and introduces several technological advancements aimed at improving operational flexibility, communication capacity and resilience against modern electronic threats. The satellite has been designed to provide highly secure, encrypted communications for military and government users, supporting mission-critical operations in increasingly complex security environments.
Commenting on the development, Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, said the satellite will play an important role in strengthening Spain’s and Europe’s strategic autonomy by providing secure and reliable communications for Spain, NATO and allied forces. He noted that the programme reflects Europe’s commitment to developing advanced space technologies capable of supporting evolving defence requirements.
The SpainSat NG programme is regarded as one of Europe’s most advanced military satellite communication initiatives. It is designed to deliver high-capacity, encrypted command-and-control connectivity for defence organisations and government agencies, ensuring uninterrupted communication during critical operations.
A key feature of SpainSat NG-III is its advanced X-band active antenna system, developed by Airbus in Spain. The satellite incorporates sophisticated transmit and receive antennas capable of performing the functions of 16 conventional antennas. These systems can rapidly adjust their coverage areas up to 1,000 times per second, allowing the satellite to respond quickly to changing operational requirements while detecting and countering electronic interference with high precision.
The satellite’s Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and military Ka-band payloads are being developed by Thales Alenia Space in Spain, further strengthening collaboration within the country’s aerospace sector. SpainSat NG-III has also been engineered with advanced resilience features designed to withstand high-altitude nuclear events and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects. These capabilities enable the satellite to meet stringent NATO standards for signal intelligence, anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, ensuring secure communications even under extreme operating conditions.
Once operational, SpainSat NG-III will provide communication coverage extending from North and South America across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Together with SpainSat NG-I, launched in 2025, the satellite will offer secure communications across nearly two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, significantly expanding the reach and capability of Spain’s defence satellite network.
Airbus Defence and Space is a global leader in defence, space and security technologies, providing advanced solutions for governments, armed forces and commercial customers worldwide. As a division of Airbus, the company designs, develops and manufactures military aircraft, satellites, secure communication systems, launch vehicles and intelligence solutions that support national security, space exploration and critical infrastructure.
Its portfolio includes military transport aircraft, Earth observation satellites, telecommunications satellites, cyber security solutions and space systems for scientific and defence applications. With a strong focus on innovation, digital technologies and sustainability, Airbus Defence and Space plays a key role in advancing Europe’s aerospace capabilities while delivering cutting-edge technologies that strengthen security, connectivity and strategic autonomy across global markets.
