Head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwiński and European Union Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius signed an agreement on Tuesday on Poland's participation in the construction of the European satellite constellation IRIS2. Poland will cover around 10% of the full cost of the project, thus joining the EU countries most active in the improvement of strategical space communications.
Poland as a pillar of regional security
Marcin Kierwiński indicated that Poland is starting to participate in 1 of the most crucial European projects related to the construction of a safe satellite communications system. He explained that this would be a full independent European infrastructure to warrant safety and independency from external suppliers.
As he pointed out, the task is simply a consequence to modern threats specified as the war in Ukraine, natural disasters or hybrid activities. As a result, Poland is to play an crucial function in the safety strategy of the Baltic Sea region and North Europe.
The Ministry of abroad Affairs informed that Poland will allocate PLN 2.8 billion to the implementation of the project, i.e. around EUR 656 million, coming from the National Reconstruction Plan.
According to the head of the department, our country will be among the most crucial participants of the IRIS2 programme alongside France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg and the UK, which previously owned the OneWeb network.
The task besides opens fresh opportunities for the national space sector. In Kierwiński's opinion, nearly 400 Polish companies operating in this sector will be able to participate in the implementation of the programme and make advanced technologies and competences.
Quantum encryption technology
EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius defined the signing of the agreement as an crucial minute not only for Poland, but besides for the east flank of NATO and the full European Union.
Poland shows actual leadership. (...) Investing in space, it invests in security, economics and the future, and signing the agreement will make Poland a pillar of Europe's safe communications strategy said Kubilius.
As he added, the task will usage quantum encryption technology, which will supply a very advanced level of data protection and safety of satellite communications.
