Secure satellite communications form the invisible backbone of modern defence systems. From encrypted command-and-control links in active operations to protected channels for intelligence sharing across continents, satellite communication, or satcom, is central to national security.
As geopolitical uncertainties intensify and cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, Europe finds itself at a critical point. The continent must reduce its dependency on external providers and develop its own sovereign, secure communication infrastructure capable of withstanding the demands of modern warfare and hybrid threats.
In this strategic landscape, the European Protected Waveform (EPW) initiative emerges not merely as a technological project but as a cornerstone of Europe’s defence autonomy. Born from the European Union’s strategic vision and enabled through the European Defence Fund (EDF), this transformative multi-year programme represents the EU’s commitment to fostering European defence industrial cooperation whilst strengthening technological sovereignty.
The program is built around the triple helix between industry, the EU Commission and the ministry of defence of 13 EU member states. ST Engineering Europe and the Belgian Ministry of Defense have the EPW program coordination role. The EU Commission provides program support, expertise, advice and strategic guidance to the consortium stakeholders throughout the research and development process. The interaction between the triple helix stakeholders ensures the delivery of a robust, secure, and fully interoperable satellite communication waveform tailored to the unique needs of European defence forces.
In this strategic landscape, the European Protected Waveform (EPW) initiative emerges not merely as a technological project but as a cornerstone of Europe’s defence autonomy. Launched under the leadership of Belgium’s Ministry of Defence and co-funded by the European Union, the EPW multi-year program aims to deliver a robust, secure, and fully interoperable satellite communication waveform tailored to the unique needs of European defence forces.
With Phase 1 completed, EPW has now entered its second and most ambitious phase. It embodies a unified European commitment to developing secure, independent, and interoperable space-based communication capabilities.
Building the foundations
The EPW initiative represents an exemplary demonstration of the European Union’s strategic approach to defence innovation, leveraging the European Defence Fund’s comprehensive framework to drive technological advancement across Member States. Phase 1 emerged from the EU’s recognition of the critical need for sovereign satellite communication capabilities, with the European Commission providing not only financial support through the EDF programme but also essential strategic guidance that shaped the project’s architecture and objectives.
Under this EU-led framework, Belgium’s Ministry of Defence and ST Engineering iDirect Europe assumed the coordination role, orchestrating a broad coalition of 22 organisations from 12 EU Member States. This consortium structure reflects the European Commission’s vision of cross-border collaboration, bringing together military leadership, industrial expertise, and academic research capabilities—a dynamic integration that exemplifies the EU’s comprehensive approach to defence innovation and technological sovereignty.
The roots of the EPW initiative stretch back to Phase 1, a foundational effort co-funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF). Coordinated through Belgium’s Ministry of Defence, the project brought together a broad coalition of 22 organisations from 12 EU Member States. This coalition represented an intersection of military leadership, industrial know-how, and academic expertise – a dynamic blend which typifies the EU’s approach to cross-border innovation.
Phase 1 focused on the architectural groundwork and aimed to define the baseline technical requirements for a new waveform capable of surviving and thriving in a hostile environment.
As defence communications must operate under the persistent risk of cyberattacks, jamming, and eavesdropping, security and resilience were embedded into the DNA of the EPW design. EPW is defining the standard for interoperable and secure satellite communications in the EU.
A major step forward
The next phase marks a tangible pivot to implementation. While phase 1 focused on design, Phase 2 is about building and testing real-world solutions. Prototypes will be developed, validated, and integrated into existing and future European defence systems. These include the IRIS² satellite constellation, Europe’s flagship secure communications network, as well as the EU GovSatCom programme, which provides communications services to government users during security-sensitive missions and operations. This highlights the critical importance of multi-layered security and resiliency solutions, leveraging new disruptive technologies and EU initiatives to protect and strengthen defence capabilities.
Perhaps most crucially, EPW’s development is being guided by a “security-by-design” philosophy. From its earliest iterations, the waveform has been crafted with the explicit aim of performing across multiple domains including land, air, sea, and space. This makes it suitable for the full spectrum of military operations, from peacekeeping missions to tactical engagements. In an increasingly contested and congested communications environment, that breadth of functionality is not just an advantage, it is a necessity.
The strategic imperative for European autonomy
The EPW initiative speaks to a broader strategic ambition around European sovereignty in defence technology.
The strategic importance of this initiative lies in its potential to bolster European autonomy in secure satellite communications. This recognition by the European Commission (DG-DEFIS) demonstrates the urgent necessity to address emerging threats and foster resilience for critical operations across Europe.
EPW reinforces Europe’s ability to develop and operate secure satellite communications independently, reducing reliance on third-party technologies and external partnerships that may not always share identical strategic priorities. In doing so, it supports the EU’s broader vision of “strategic autonomy”, a goal focused on strengthening technological self-sufficiency, enhancing defence preparedness, and protecting critical digital infrastructure.
However, the benefits of EPW go even further as the waveform’s standardisation means that it will serve as a common protocol for multiple EU Member States, simplifying joint operations and improving the overall interoperability of European armed forces. It also enhances the EU’s deterrence posture by ensuring communication continuity under duress, a critical factor in any high-threat environment.
Innovation through collaboration
The EPW initiative is remarkable not only for its goals but for how it seeks to achieve them. The project is driven by a 22-member consortium composed of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academic research institutions, national ministries of defence, and major industry players.
Each partner contributes specific domain knowledge. By collaborating across borders and sectors, the consortium fosters technological innovation while ensuring that the resulting system meets a broad spectrum of operational requirements.
Integration with the EU’s defence vision
The significance of the EPW initiative becomes even more pronounced when viewed within the broader context of Europe’s defence and space strategies. EPW is set to become a key enabler of the IRIS² constellation, whilst also aligning with the EU GovSatCom initiative.
These integrations are not accidental – they reflect a deliberate move by the EU to create a cohesive, layered defence communications architecture. EPW’s secure waveform offers the missing puzzle piece, an interoperable protocol that binds together the various technical layers and platforms within Europe’s defence ecosystem.
The road ahead
As Phase 2 progresses, the consortium will deliver demonstrable, integrated prototypes capable of undergoing real-world evaluation. These systems will then feed into broader operational readiness planning, setting the stage for deployment within EU defence networks.
Looking further ahead, several key milestones are anticipated, including how the EPW waveform will become a default standard for secure European satellite (multi-orbit) communications, particularly within military and governmental domains. Its adaptability also opens the door to broader use cases beyond defence, such as critical infrastructure and emergency response.
Europe’s commitment to the European Protected Waveform initiative signals a broader transformation in how the continent approaches defence, technology, and security. EU Member States are building the tools they need to ensure operational independence and resilience.
EPW is not just a new waveform, but it is a strategic revolution. It redefines how Europe communicates in space, collaborates across borders, and responds to the rising tide of cyber and hybrid threats. It encapsulates the principles of resilience, interoperability, and innovation that lie at the heart of the EU’s defence strategy.
The European Protected Waveform (Phase 2) is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of ST Engineering iDirect Europe only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.