iDirect advances EU’s secure SatCom project

ST Engineering iDirect Europe will launch phase 2 of the European Protected Waveform (EPW) systems project, a space-based satellite communication network funded by the EU. This project, spearheaded by Belgium’s Ministry of Defence with a consortium of 22 organisations from 12 EU member states, will prototype and integrate the EPW system, aiming to create secure, adaptable, and interoperable satellite communications for European military operations and critical government needs. 

The advancement to this second phase was announced on May 7th, 2025, by ST Engineering iDirect Europe, based in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. This development supports the future IRIS² satellite constellation and the EU GovSatCom programme by providing resilient communication in complex environments.

Phase 1 established the groundwork for the waveform’s initial development. Phase 2 will focus on creating working models and combining the EPW system components. The goal is secure, interoperable systems that align with European strategic goals.

Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence, stated the project invests in secure communication, a necessity for modern military operations. He added that European cooperation in research and development strengthens strategic autonomy and troop safety.

“This recognition by the European Defence Fund demonstrates the urgent necessity to address emerging threats and foster resilience for critical operations across Europe,” Koen Willems, Vice President of EU Programmes at ST Engineering iDirect Europe, said. He further emphasised the initiative’s strategic importance for European autonomy in secure satellite communications. 

The total investment in the EPW project is now €65 million, with €35 million allocated to Phase 2, funded by the EU. 

A waveform is a specific technical design for transmitting and receiving satellite signals. This design ensures secure, adaptable, and interoperable communication between different systems. The waveform dictates how data is encoded, modulated, and transmitted, providing a standard for communication across various military and governmental platforms. This standardisation is crucial for seamless information exchange and effective coordination during operations.

Company profile: ST Engineering iDirect

ST Engineering iDirect is a global company specialising in satellite communications technology. The company provides ground segment infrastructure, including modems, hubs, and network management systems, for various applications such as mobility, government, and enterprise. iDirect operates an EU Satcom Centre of Excellence in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, which focuses on developing ground segment technology and solutions specifically for the EU, adhering to EU Commission and Belgian government guidelines. iDirect is owned by ST Engineering, the Singaporean defence and engineering company. Over 3 billion people watch television using iDirect satellites, and iDirect also provides satellite links for communication to aircraft and ships, the company’s website states. 

Calibre comment

Europe is looking to establish some strategic autonomy over its space-based infrastructure for military and civil purposes. This is helped to no small extent by investments into companies like ICEYE and Fibrecoat, which enables Europe to build technologically advanced products without relying on companies abroad. This development can be seen in most aspects of Europe’s space programmes, from the Ariane 6 launch rocket to the Guiana Space Centre (also known as Europe’s Spaceport) in Kourou, French Guiana. Nevertheless, some commercial companies are using the launch facilities provided by SpaceX, which are much cheaper than any competitor on a cost per kilo basis. The EU may struggle to compete with this price point for its own launch capabilities. 

Beyond having sovereign space-based communications capabilities, the need for secure communications is particularly pressing because of geopolitical changes: Russia and China’s advanced electronic warfare systems are often designed to specifically target NATO communications systems. In addition, the potential instability of the US government also plays a factor, given that the US president could choose or cause the withholding of certain capabilities. A variety of options are available to meet this demand for secure communications, including proliferated low earth orbit constellations (things like Starlink) as well as troposcatter radio systems, which can provide the range and bandwidth of a satellite from ground-based systems. It is likely that EU partners will eventually arrive at a blended approach, potentially using the EPW – assuming it is successfully deployed – as a primary form of communication for specific levels and classifications, with other systems providing more tactical needs. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 14th May, 2025.