The Cyprus has successfully completed the acquisition and first operational use of secure satellite communications services, provided via the GOVSATCOM of the EU Space Programme, marking a major milestone for government satellite interconnection in Europe.

GOVSATCOM is managed by the European Commission and implemented by the European Union Space Programme Agency (EUSPA). The initial operational activities of the GOVSATCOM Hub started in January 2026, following a decision by the 27 Member States within the Security Accreditation Board (SAB).

At the core of the system is the GOVSATCOM Hub, which currently provides secure government satellite services aggregated from five Member States – France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, France and Spain and makes them available to all EU Member States. Additional satellite capacity will be gradually integrated, while services from the upcoming EU multi-orbit IRIS² formation are expected to become available from 2029 onwards.

EUSPA oversees the definition, development and operations of the GOVSATCOM Hub and supports the European Commission in the procurement of satellite capacity, as well as in the preparation of the IRIS² formation.

Holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Cyprus has been associated with the GOVSATCOM Hub since the start of the initial operational activities. The country has now successfully completed the first acquisition and operational deployment of secure satellite communication services through the Hub, demonstrating the speed, efficiency and high level of security of GOVSATCOM in meeting a wide range of government communication needs.

The services acquired by Cyprus include capacity from Greek government satellites provided by Hellas Sat. These services were effectively used by Cypriot government users in line with the programme’s expectations, including for security purposes along the Union’s south-eastern border.

The Greek government satellite capacity provider Hellas Sat was able to respond promptly and provide the requested services in line with the programme’s expectations, confirming the high level of readiness and reliability of European government satellite providers.

This achievement marks a new era of enhanced European capabilities, increased cooperation, among Member States and a more integrated and resilient government satellite communications landscape across Europe.