France Boosts Military Capabilities with New Space Initiatives
France announces new military space initiatives, focusing on nanosatellites and situational awareness.
Key Points
- • France is launching multiple military space initiatives in 2025.
- • The Nexus program enhances military satellite capabilities through a partnership with Eutelsat.
- • Eutelsat will provide ten years of priority access to the OneWeb constellation for France.
- • Rivesalt program aims to improve space situational awareness across multiple orbital ranges.
On June 19, 2025, the French Defense Ministry unveiled a range of military space initiatives designed to strengthen the nation’s defense capabilities through cutting-edge technologies, particularly focusing on nanosatellites and enhancing space situational awareness. The initiatives signify a strategic leap into the realm of military space operations, with a particular emphasis on agility and advanced technological deployment.
Key among the projects is the **Nexus program**, which aims to extend France's military satellite capabilities. This program represents a partnership with **Eutelsat**, allowing France priority access to the **OneWeb** satellite constellation for a decade. The integration of this low-Earth-orbit (LEO) constellation with existing systems is anticipated to significantly enhance the security and reliability of France's military communications, dovetailing with the broader European **IRIS2** secure communications project in which Eutelsat also plays an active role.
Moreover, the **Defense Procurement Agency** (DGA) is engaged in advancing the development of nanosatellite technology, which has been recognized for its potential in rapid deployment scenarios and versatility in various military applications.
Additionally, the DGA is accelerating efforts on digital beam-forming antenna technology through a startup called **Greenerwave** under the **Copernic project**. This initiative aims to produce high-performance antenna solutions with reduced energy consumption and cost, utilizing standard components and innovative software.
Finally, the **Rivesalt program** is focused on enhancing space situational awareness, targeting a range of orbital zones: low-Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, and geostationary orbit. This multi-layered approach is critical for maintaining an informed perspective on various threats and operational environments in space, marking a substantial advancement in France's military space posture.