The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth and European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius
The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth and European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius Credit: Theis Roksvåg Pedersen
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– Participation in EUs Secure Connectivity-program will grant Norway access to secure satellite-based communication services and makes it possible for Norwegian industries to play a greater role in shaping strategic systems for the whole of Europe. The agreement marks a significant step towards bringing Norway closer to EU’s work on security, resilience and technological independence in space, says the Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth.

Myrseth signed on Thursday 26th of March the cooperation agreement between Norway and EU. Secure Connectivity is together with GOVESATCOM-cooperation, which is also included in the agreement, EUs, and now Norway’s, initiative to secure resilient satellite communication solutions.

Important for Norway

The Secure Connectivity program will ensure that Europe has global access to secure governmental communication during peace, crisis, and wartime. The program will consist of closer to 300 satellites and is expected to be operative from 2030. GOVSATCOM, which entails that access to existing satellite communication services is collected and distributed across member states, is already operating.

– We are living in uncertain times, during which the need for European autonomy is continuously growing. Commercial solutions and systems developed outside of Europe are no longer enough. It is therefore important that we work together when the EU is developing its new space programs, says the Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth.

Norway is now granted access to services that can become essential for maritime operations, first responders, and communication in Northern Norway, and for when handling geopolitical security events. 

Opportunities for Norwegian space industry

The agreement emphasizes industry collaboration and development of small- and medium sized businesses. It therefore grants Norwegian space industry with new opportunities to participate in European projects.

– Secure Connectivity is an entry point for Norwegian industries to provide Europe with secure and independent civil and military space capabilities. Norway is a secure and important partner with a strong expert community within communication-, launch-, and surveillance services, says Cecilie Myrseth.

Facts on Secure Connectivity

  • Secure Connectivity is EUs initiative for independent, secure satellite systems for communication. Also known as IRIS².
  • The program will provide improved and safer access to communication services in areas such as Africa, the Arctic, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
  • EU and connected countries will become less dependent on commercial actors and third countries for space-based communication services.
  • European satellites will provide robust services under all circumstances – also when other networks are unavailable.
  • Participation in the Secure Connectivity-program will strengthen Norway’s position in the European space-ecosystem. Norway is already a part of other EUs space programs – such as Galileo (navigation) and Copernicus (earth observations).
  • Secure Connectivity has a budget on 2,4 billion euros, and GOVSATCOM has a budget of approx. 200 million euros. It is estimated that Norwegian participation will amount to 451,6 million NOK through 2027.
  • Before the agreement takes effect, it will be reviewed by the European parliament and the Norwegian parliament.


Read more about the Secure Connectivity program here: Secure Connectivity - regjeringen.no