The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) announced that Cyprus has become the first country to operationally use the European Union’s GOVSATCOM system.
The announcement, made on March 10, said the service was deployed for safety and security operations along the EU’s south-eastern borders, marking the first operational use of the platform since it became active earlier this year.
GOVSATCOM was initially announced in 2018 and entered service in January 2026. The system aggregates satellite communications capacity from eight satellites already in orbit, provided by five EU member states, offering secure, sovereign communications services for governments across the European Union.
The system is also intended to serve as a bridge to the planned IRIS2, which will provide next-generation secure connectivity for Europe.
In its statement, EUSPA described Cyprus’ deployment as “a significant milestone in European governmental satellite connectivity.”
“The successful operational use of the GOVSATCOM Hub by Cyprus proves that space is no longer an extra but a critical infrastructure,” said Rodrigo da Costa.
“By pooling our resources, we are building a more resilient and secure Europe, ensuring that every Member State has the connectivity it needs to protect its citizens,” da Costa added.
According to EUSPA, the communications service used by Cyprus relied on satellite capacity provided by Hellas Sat, utilizing a Greek governmental satellite integrated into the GOVSATCOM network.
The agency did not specify the precise operational activities supported by the system, stating only that it was used by Cypriot governmental users for safety and security purposes.
Analysts note that the deployment comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, including security developments surrounding the RAF Akrotiri. The service could also support governmental communications linked to Cyprus’ current role holding the rotating Council of the European Union presidency.
The GOVSATCOM system aims to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy in secure communications by enabling member states to share satellite resources while ensuring reliable connectivity for defense, crisis management, and border security operations.
