SES Expands NATO Satellite Communications with Advanced MEO Services
Satellite communications provider SES has taken a significant step in strengthening NATO’s connectivity capabilities by delivering Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Global Services under a contract awarded by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The Luxembourg-based company is providing these services through its O3b mPOWER satellite constellation, ensuring high-performance, low-latency connectivity for military and government operations across the globe.
The initiative, known as MEO Global Services (MGS), is part of NSPA’s Global Commercially Contracted SATCOM Support Partnership (GCC SATCOM SP), a program spearheaded by the United States and Luxembourg. This agreement enables NATO members and allied nations to either establish sovereign networks or leverage fully managed satellite communication services, supporting a wide range of defense and security missions.
SES’s MEO connectivity is designed to enhance real-time applications for military forces, government agencies, and allied organizations operating in diverse environments—whether on land, at sea, or in the air. From high-definition video communications to seamless data transfers, the system ensures secure and reliable connections for critical defense operations.
As part of the MGS framework, the United States is setting up six MEO Sovereign Gateways at key global locations. These gateways will bolster the resilience and security of the satellite network, reinforcing NATO’s military communication infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted service for allied operations.
The multinational nature of this program gained further momentum in January 2025, when the Netherlands officially joined the GCC SATCOM SP. This expansion underscores the growing collaboration among NATO members in advancing satellite communications and space-based defense technologies.
Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, emphasized the vital role of secure satellite communications in NATO’s defense strategy. She noted that SES’s O3b mPOWER system provides essential connectivity for both national and multinational defense initiatives.
Stacy Cummings, General Manager of NSPA, highlighted the strategic importance of multinational cooperation in the space domain, stating that such initiatives enhance NATO’s operational flexibility and strengthen its global defense posture. The Netherlands’ participation further reinforces the program’s significance in developing NATO’s space capabilities.
Brigadier General Jacob Middleton, Commander of U.S. Space Forces Europe and Space Forces Africa, underscored the importance of joint space initiatives. He stressed that partnerships like the GCC SATCOM SP foster trust, enhance information sharing, and improve regional deterrence and defense strategies.
Colonel Bernard Buijs, Head of the Defence Space Security Centre in the Netherlands, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that continuous communication is essential for conflict prevention. He pointed out that international collaborations in satellite communications enable nations to share expertise and resources more effectively.
SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh highlighted the key advantages of O3b mPOWER, stating that its low latency, robust security, and guaranteed service levels make it the ideal choice for NATO members. He expressed enthusiasm about providing connectivity to the founding MGS nations and looks forward to welcoming additional partners under the NSPA framework.
With this initiative, SES is reinforcing its role as a key player in global defense communications, helping NATO and its allies maintain a secure and resilient satellite network in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
