The acquisition of a very high resolution Earth observation satellite will enable Luxembourg to participate in a “tangible way” in the international initiatives and defence planning operations of Nato, a government statement said after Friday’s cabinet meeting.

The project is part of Luxembourg’s 2025 defence guidelines, providing observation, communication and data transmission and analysis capabilities, which are expected to increase the security of deployed military personnel.

Last year, Space News quoted the country’s space programme manager Geoffrey Beaudot saying that a study was underway for the satellite and talks with a contractor had begun.

He was quoted as saying that the programme, expected to launch in 2021, would take “existing components to deliver a satellite to deliver services and high value assets for institutions and allies.”

Chopper shopping

Furthermore, the government approved the purchase of two Airbus 145M helicopters, for defence purposes, which could also be used by police, the government said.

“The dual-use policy--military and civilian--will allow certain defence-acquired capabilities of the defence effort to be available to other actors and departments as well,” it said.

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