Poland Joins IRIS²: Europe’s Strategic Answer to Starlink

Poland has officially signed an agreement to participate in the EU’s IRIS² satellite constellation project, aiming to establish a secure, sovereign communications infrastructure to counter emerging global security threats by 2030.

A Sovereign Satellite Network for Europe

The IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) project aims to provide Europe with a secure, independent communications system. The network will consist of 272 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 in medium Earth orbit.

Positioned as the European alternative to the American Starlink system, the project is estimated to cost 11 billion euros and is currently scheduled for deployment by 2030.

Poland’s Role in the Constellation

The agreement was signed in Warsaw by Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński and EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius. Poland is set to become one of the six primary stakeholders, contributing approximately 10 percent of the project’s total value.

Minister Kierwiński emphasized that Poland will serve as a pillar for the infrastructure, ensuring communication resilience against natural disasters, hybrid threats, and direct attacks, while simultaneously fostering the growth of the Polish space sector.

A Strategic Investment for EU Security

EU Commissioner Kubilius stated that Poland’s participation demonstrates true leadership for the eastern flank of NATO and the entire European Union. He highlighted that this investment secures not only the continent’s digital future but also its economic and defense stability.