Key Takeaways
- The European Commission and South Korea signed an administrative arrangement for the IRIS² space project in Brussels on 17 September 2026.
- Commissioner Kubilius highlighted that Earth security increasingly depends on space security, driving the development of the multi-orbit IRIS² constellation.
- The partnership aims to strengthen international technology cooperation, secure supply chains, and advance secure satellite connectivity.
According to a statement published by the European Commission on 17 September 2026, Commissioner Kubilius announced the formal signing of an administrative arrangement with the Republic of Korea regarding the IRIS² initiative. Speaking in Brussels, the Commissioner emphasised that Earth security increasingly relies on space security, underlining the strategic rationale behind the development of IRIS², a multi-orbit satellite constellation designed to bolster the Union's sovereign secure communications infrastructure. This partnership with South Korea aligns with the broader European Union strategy to forge strategic alliances with trusted international democracies in critical technology domains. As the EU seeks to reinforce its single market resilience and geopolitical autonomy in the space sector, collaborating with global technology leaders like South Korea helps secure vital space supply chains, enhances technological interoperability, and promotes shared standards for secure satellite-based connectivity across international borders. For European businesses and citizens, this enhanced cooperation promises to accelerate the deployment of advanced secure communication services while fostering innovation within the broader European aerospace and digital economies. Policymakers will now focus on operationalising the new arrangement through joint technical working groups, with further implementation milestones and collaborative framework reviews expected in the upcoming legislative cycles.
Source: European Commission. Read the original report ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IRIS² project?
IRIS² is the European Union's multi-orbit satellite constellation designed to provide secure and sovereign communications infrastructure for Europe.
Who signed the administrative arrangement with the European Commission?
The administrative arrangement was signed with the Republic of Korea, as announced by Commissioner Kubilius in Brussels.