Eutelsat Orders 340 Airbus Satellites to Expand OneWeb Fleet

Eutelsat has placed a major new order for 340 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites with Airbus Defence and Space, significantly expanding and modernizing its OneWeb constellation. The deal marks a key step in Eutelsat’s long-term strategy to strengthen its global broadband capabilities and ensure continuity as the first generation of OneWeb satellites begins to age.

The new satellites will complement OneWeb’s existing fleet of roughly 600 operational spacecraft, which currently deliver connectivity services to governments, enterprises, mobility operators, and remote communities worldwide. According to Eutelsat, the additional satellites will not only increase capacity but also replace older units over time, ensuring uninterrupted service and improved performance across the network.

A central feature of the new spacecraft is the integration of advanced digital channelizers, which significantly enhance onboard data processing and network flexibility. These systems allow bandwidth to be dynamically allocated where demand is highest, improving efficiency and enabling faster adaptation to changing customer requirements. The technology also supports more sophisticated traffic management, a growing priority as competition intensifies in the LEO satellite broadband market.

Production of the satellites will take place at Airbus’s new high-throughput satellite manufacturing line in Toulouse, France. The facility has been designed to support large-scale constellation programs, with a focus on automation and rapid assembly. Airbus said deliveries of the new satellites are expected to begin before the end of the year, keeping the program on an accelerated timeline aligned with Eutelsat’s deployment plans.

For Airbus Defence and Space, the contract further reinforces its position as a leading manufacturer of LEO satellites at industrial scale. The company has already built the majority of OneWeb’s first-generation constellation and sees growing demand from operators seeking resilient, cost-effective alternatives to traditional geostationary systems.

The expanded OneWeb fleet is expected to play a critical role in Eutelsat’s broader multi-orbit strategy, combining LEO and geostationary assets to deliver seamless global coverage. Industry analysts note that sustained investment in next-generation satellites will be essential as operators race to meet rising demand for secure, low-latency connectivity across aviation, maritime, defense, and enterprise markets.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com