From next year onwards, Luxembourg and Spain will join NATO nations providing satellite communications services. This move is part of the NATO SATCOM Services 6th Generation (NSS6G) project. This began in the year 2020. These two countries will join the U.S., France, Italy, and the U.K. In delivering crucial satellite capabilities to NATO.
Recent Meeting Highlights Progress
Earlier this month, leaders from the six countries met near Washington, D.C. The meeting was to review the services provided by NSS6G. They assessed current performance and identified ongoing challenges. Representatives from NATO’s Communications and Information Agency also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the leaders finalised an amendment to the MoU. This allows Luxembourg and Spain to become official providers of military satellite communications to NATO.
A Shift in NATO’s Satellite Strategy
In 2005, NATO stopped acquiring and operating its own satellites. Some of NATO’s satellites were based on designs from the 1970s. Instead, NATO turned to member states to provide the needed satellite communications. Initially, France, Italy, and the U.K. were the primary providers. In 2020, the U.S. joined this team.
Contributions from Member States
The U.S. supports NATO with its extremely high frequency (EHF) transport service. This service is vital for NATO nuclear command and control. The U.S. also provides super-high frequency (SHF) capacity. Through its Wideband Global Satellite Communications System.
France, the U.K., and Italy contribute SHF and UHF capacity through their Syracuse, Skynet, and Sicral constellations. Spain and Luxembourg will enhance this association with additional SHF and UHF capacity. Spain will provide this through its Spainsat Next Generation satellites. And Luxembourg through its GovSat constellation. NATO will use roughly twelve military satellites in all.
Enhanced Protection and Services
Brian Hughes, the head of the NSS6G Joint Services management office, stated that these are protected to different degrees. “It’s all military satellite communications. Which means they resist nuclear effects and jamming capabilities that commercial services generally don’t have.”
NATO receives its satellite communications via two primary channels: managed services and “allocate and commit”.
“[Allocate and commit] is where this capacity is actually given to NATO and [NATO] can use it as it needs it,” Hughes stated. “And then, we have a managed access service where [NATO] makes a request at specific times that they need it. We [the team of national providers] actually manage the service provided.”
Critical for NATO Operations
NATO headquarters will make use of NSS6G’s capabilities when conducting activities that are approved by NATO. According to Hughes, NATO has specific needs because it performs headquarters functions. Whether they are dispersed or static. NATO is supplying the command-and-control function through SATCOM. Which is very important, thus making SATCOM [satellite communications] crucial.
The NSS6G association provides the space-based capability. While NATO provides the ground tools needed by its forces. Nusret Yilmaz, SATCOM business unit owner within the NATO Communications and Information Agency, stated, “NATO owns the ground equipment, including tactical radios and deployable communication systems. NATO operates and maintains these ground systems.”
Increased Resilience and Capacity
The addition of Spain and Luxembourg will boost the resilience of NATO’s satellite communications. “Since it is not only one nation, [but] multiple nations. There is also kind of resilience in the space segment,” Yilmaz said. He also noted the rising demand for satellite communications. Which NATO has managed through various ground and user segment projects.
Benefits of U.S. Participation
This month’s meeting was hosted by Mike Dean, the Chief Information Office (SATCOM) chief for the Defense Department. NSS6G was lauded by him as an illustration of global cooperation. According to him, the inclusion of Luxembourg and Spain will strengthen current collaboration and working partnerships.
Dean emphasized the advantages of US involvement. He clarified that we receive payment for the services we render to NATO. We may put that money toward initiatives that will improve our warfighters’ access to satellite communications services.
NSS6G is set for a 10-year operational period. Thus continuing through the end of 2034. This project exemplifies international cooperation. Along with the strategic importance of modern satellite communications for NATO operations.
