With an invitation to the space industry to submit information (Request for Information – RFI), the Ministry of Defense and Digital Governance initiated a process of designing, building and operating an Integrated Satellite Telecommunications System.
As “N” wrote in a recent report (19.7.24) related to the evolution of the Greek space industry, the acquisition of a Greek satellite aims to cover the telecommunications needs of the Ministry of Defense and potentially other government services.
Among other things, the RFI requests information on costs, so that the government can decide on the technical capabilities of the satellite to be acquired, so that the necessary amount can then be earmarked in the budget of the Ministry of Defence to cover the relevant expenditure. Three scenarios are recorded: for a Telecommunications Satellite System costing 150 to 200 million, 200 to 300 million and 300 million and above. The delivery time is also considered a critical factor.
It is recalled that at the beginning of July, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, met at the Ministry of National Defence, in the presence of the Chief of the General Staff, Dimitrios Houpis, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Antonis Economou, with the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, and Deputy Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis.
They discussed the issues of armed forces communications, which, according to a statement by Mr. Dendias, “are an important part of Agenda 2030.” The Minister of National Defense then announced the country’s intention to acquire a telecommunications satellite.
At the same time, the implementation of the ministry’s microsatellite program is underway.
Digital Governance, worth 200 million euros, financed by the Recovery Fund.
In particular, on the basis of the RFI, the development of a national MILSATCOM (Military Satellite Communications) satellite is sought so that the country can meet national and European military and government needs and acquire ground infrastructure (nationally owned stations, including optical communication stations).
The objectives include strengthening national security and defence through the exploration and development of space infrastructure, ensuring national autonomy in security matters (e.g. border control and crisis management), but also developing the Greek space industry with the support of space research and innovation.
Furthermore, the two RFI ministries request information on the companies that could be involved in the project and their capabilities, while stressing that the percentage of involvement of the Greek space industry and the synergies must be clearly indicated and be as strong as possible.
The deadline for submitting responses is 09/30/2024.