Australian Defence Force Secures Long-Term Military Satellite Communications via SES IS-22

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has reinforced the backbone of its secure military communications architecture, signing an extended agreement with SES to ensure uninterrupted ultra-high frequency (UHF) satellite connectivity well into the next decade.

Under the renewed arrangement, SES will continue to deliver mission-critical UHF communications via the IS-22 satellite, guaranteeing continuity of service through 2033, with contractual options extending coverage out to 2041. The agreement underscores Australia’s growing emphasis on assured, sovereign communications amid rising operational complexity across the Indo-Pacific.

As part of the deal, SES will reposition IS-22 to a new orbital slot designated by the ADF, extending a mission that has been central to Australia’s military communications since the satellite’s launch in 2012. SES will also deploy a dedicated ground segment, including a purpose-built antenna facility on Australian soil, further strengthening the resilience, security, and autonomy of the ADF’s satellite communications infrastructure.

“This agreement ensures critical communications capability for the ADF and its strategic partners across the Indo-Pacific,” said Philippe Glaesener, Senior Vice President, Global Government at SES. “At a time when secure, sovereign communications are more vital than ever, it provides operational certainty and supports Australia’s long-term resilience and leadership in defense.”

The IS-22 UHF payload has long been regarded as a uniquely valuable asset for the ADF, supporting national operations as well as joint and coalition missions with key allies, including the United States. With comparable UHF capacity in the Indo-Pacific region remaining extremely limited, the continuation of IS-22 services preserves a critical advantage in command and control, secure mobility, and coalition interoperability.

Globally, demand for military satellite communications is accelerating, driven by contested environments, distributed operations, and heightened geopolitical tensions. UHF capacity, in particular, remains scarce. By securing long-term access to IS-22, the ADF is not only ensuring continuity of operations, but also positioning itself with a strategic edge in an increasingly constrained and competitive space domain.