The Austrian Federal Army is developing its own satellites for the first time to strengthen its security independence and reduce its dependence on other states. As part of this new space strategy, Brigadier Friedrich Teichmann Two research projects have been launched that aim to develop their own satellites for communication, navigation and satellite imagery. The projects, called LEO2VLEO and BEACONSAT include the construction of a total of five satellites and are intended to position Austria as an active designer in orbit.
The Project LEO2VLEO is a cooperation with the Netherlands and provides for the construction of four satellites, three of which are intended for operational use and are to be launched between Low Earth Orbit and the Very Low Earth Orbit The project costs approximately ten million euros, of which Austria is contributing six million. These satellites are scheduled to be launched in late 2026 or early 2027, respectively, and will provide significantly sharper images than conventional satellites. This enables more precise situational awareness and is of great importance for military operations. Defense Minister Claudia Tanner stressed that the change in security policy, particularly as a result of the war in Ukraine, had shown how important satellites were for military operations.
Another purely Austrian project is BEACONSAT, which the Austrian Armed Forces is implementing in cooperation with civilian companies. The project involves building a particularly compact satellite that will be responsible for navigation via satellite signals. Its small size makes this satellite more secure and less vulnerable to attack. The project costs less than one million euros, and launch is also scheduled for the end of 2026. The operating life of the systems is estimated at three to five years. To ensure sustained capacity, new satellites are planned to be launched into orbit at regular intervals.
The initiative, launched by Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner as part of the “Mission forward", is a significant step toward modernizing national defense. Military satellites are essential for operational command and the creation of situational awareness. With these projects, Austria is catching up with international developments in the field of military space utilization and aims to be not just a user, but also an active provider.