Overview
The EU SatCom Market is a flagship European Defence Agency (EDA) joint procurement project providing reliable, flexible and resilient access to commercially available Satellite Communications (SatCom) and Communication and Information System (CIS) services.
It plays a critical role in enabling Command, Control and Communications for EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, EU institutions and agencies, and contributing Member States; particularly in remote, high-risk or infrastructure-limited environments.
Through demand aggregation and a pay-per-use model, the project ensures operational connectivity where and when it is needed, while delivering cost efficiency, interoperability and administrative simplification.
Enabling operations
Military and civilian missions and operations rely on continuous and reliable access to information. The EU SatCom Market (ESM) enables:
- Reliable connectivity for deployed military forces and civilian missions;
- Continuous links between operational theatres, headquarters and national capitals;
- Interoperable communications across Member States, EU missions and operations, and Agencies.
The project is a key enabler for CSDP missions and operations, supporting crisis management, defence, security and humanitarian tasks where terrestrial networks are unavailable, unreliable or insufficient.
ESM Services provided
The EU SatCom Market offers a comprehensive and flexible portfolio of services supporting operational needs within Europe and worldwide.
Commercial SatCom services
- Satellite communication capacity (MSS and FSS);
- Access to satellite constellations and managed services;
- Anchoring and backhauling solutions.
Satellite Communication equipment
- Equipment purchase and leasing options.
- Terminals and systems for all frequency bands;
- ixed and deployable solutions adapted to operational environments.
Auxiliary and support services
- Infrastructure deployment and system integration;
- Protection against interference and cyber threats;
- 24/7 technical and operational support.
Communication and Information Systems (CIS)
- Integrated telecommunications, radio and IT networks;
- Hardware and software solutions supporting data transmission and management.
ESM Key Benefits
Centralised governance through EDA
Through a Joint Procurement Arrangement (JPA), contributing Members mandate EDA to act as contract authority, ensuring coherent project management, transparent governance and compliance with EU procurement and financial rules.
Efficient access through framework contracts
EDA negotiates and manages framework contracts on behalf of contributing Members, simplifying procurement processes, reducing administrative burden and enabling rapid processing of individual service requests.
Cost efficiency through demand aggregation
By pooling demand across Member States, EU entities and missions and operations, the project generates economies of scale, reduces overall costs and enables a pay-per-use model without long-term financial commitments.
Interoperability and operational coherence
Common framework contracts and harmonised technical requirements enhance interoperability, align operational needs across users and support the development of defence capabilities.
Flexibility, scalability and technological relevance
The project allows users to rapidly adapt services to evolving operational requirements and access advanced commercial technologies through a competitive and continuously updated service portfolio.
Openness and broad participation
The EU SatCom Market is open to all EDA participating Member States, EU entities and organisations, as well as third states with an administrative arrangement with EDA, strengthening cooperation and shared operational effectiveness.
How ESM works
The EU SatCom Market operates as a streamlined access mechanism that allows authorised users to obtain SatCom and CIS services quickly and efficiently.
Users submit service requests through a dedicated web-based platform, specifying their operational needs. Based on these requirements, a tailored offer is generated under the applicable EDA-managed framework contracts. Once the offer is confirmed, the requested services are delivered directly by the contracted providers.
EDA manages the full administrative process throughout the service lifecycle, including coordination with industry, contract execution, invoicing and payments. Services are provided on an à-la-carte, pay-per-use basis, enabling users to access exactly the capabilities required, for the required duration, without upfront investment.
Service and price catalogues are regularly updated to reflect technological developments and evolving operational needs, ensuring continued relevance and efficiency for users.
3 Easy Steps
Users submit their operational requirements through a dedicated web-based platform.
A tailored offer is generated under the applicable framework contracts and confirmed by the user.
A tailored offer is generated under the applicable framework contracts and confirmed by the user.
A Mature and growing project
Users submit service requests through a dedicated web-based platform, specifying their operational needs. Based on these requirements, a tailored offer is generated under the applicable EDA-managed framework contracts. Once the offer is confirmed, the requested services are delivered directly by the contracted providers.
Today, it stands as one of EDA’s largest and most operationally impactful joint procurement initiatives.
For further details see the project’s factsheet.