Addleshaw Goddard advises Hispasat on European project IRIS²
International law firm Addleshaw Goddard has advised Hispasat on the successful conclusion of the negotiations that have enabled the formal continuation of the IRIS² programme, the European Union’s future secure satellite communications constellation, designed to provide both commercial and military applications in strategically important areas (the “Programme”). In this regard, the SpaceRISE consortium, composed by the three European operators Hispasat (Spain), Eutelsat (France) and SES (Luxembourg), the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have defined the development and deployment plan for Europe’s secure satellite communications system. The Programme is expected to carry out its first launches in 2029 and enter into service in 2030.
To this end, on 7 August, the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium signed the implementation agreement that will accelerate the deployment of IRIS². One of the key developments is the addition of 66 new satellites, increasing the constellation to a total of 348 satellites and enabling its large-scale deployment. The Programme is supported by a mixed public-private financing model which total investment expected to amount to €15.6 billion.
Within this framework, Hispasat strengthens its position as one of the Programme’s key players. Among other responsibilities, the company will take a leading role as prime contractor for the antenna infrastructure, control systems and ground network connectivity, which will constitute the largest and most complex infrastructure of its kind developed in Europe to date for a space programme with a budget exceeding €1.6 billion.
The Addleshaw Goddard team, led by Managing Partner Roberto Pomares and Senior Associate Rosa Chen, advised Hispasat and the SpaceRISE consortium throughout the negotiation process with the European Commission and the European Space Agency. The firm provided legal support on the complex contractual, governance and structuring matters required to ensure the continuity and further development of the Programme, having been involved in it since its inception.
