World
Defence and space
Luxembourg backs a EUR 301 million bet on a second military satellite
Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies voted 57 to 60 on 21 January 2026 to authorise a EUR 301 million financing law for GovSat-2, a secure government and military communications satellite. Run through the 50/50 LuxGovSat joint venture between the Luxembourg State and operator SES, the project routes the build to France's Thales Alenia Space and the launch to Arianespace. Defence Minister Yuriko Backes framed it as a contribution to EU and NATO security and a bet on European strategic autonomy.