Airbus wins contract for advanced Spanish military radar satellites
FILE PHOTO: A general view of the Airbus pavilion at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
Airbus' Defence and Space unit has been selected by Spanish satellite operator Hisdesat to build two advanced PAZ-2 radar satellites for Spain's defence ministry, the company said on Wednesday.
The satellites will provide round-the-clock radar imagery for military intelligence and surveillance as well as civilian applications including disaster assessment, and will replace the current PAZ Earth observation satellite in service since 2018.
"In the current geopolitical context, with the PAZ-2 satellites, Airbus reaffirms its commitment to strengthening technological sovereignty in security and defence," said Alain Faure, head of Airbus Space Systems.
The first satellite is expected to enter service by mid-2031, Airbus said, with assembly and testing to take place at its facility in Getafe, Spain.
