A leading European satellite internet company is pursuing a partnership with India’s space program as it works to expand its rocket launch capabilities beyond current providers like SpaceX.
Eutelsat, which competes directly with Elon Musk’s Starlink service, has entered discussions with India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) regarding future satellite deployments, according to company CEO Jean-François Fallacher. The French executive, who has led the organization since June, confirmed the ongoing negotiations during a recent interview, though he noted that no agreement has been finalized.
The potential partnership discussions have not been previously disclosed publicly. ISRO officials have not yet responded to requests for comment about the talks.
This development comes as France and India have strengthened their cooperation across multiple sectors, including defense, space technology, and maritime security. India recently committed to purchasing French military aircraft, and last year French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for increased space collaboration between the nations. Macron characterized dependence on non-European launch providers as “madness.”
Eutelsat’s current structure resulted from a 2023 combination with OneWeb, a London-based satellite internet company that had been financially supported by both British and Indian investors, including India’s Bharti group.
The merged organization faced significant challenges when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cut off access to Soyuz rocket services. Since then, the company has depended on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets and Europe’s Ariane launch vehicles. Additionally, Eutelsat has arranged a contract with MaiaSpace, a French company developing Europe’s first reusable small-scale launcher.
Fallacher traveled to New Delhi in February as part of President Macron’s official visit, where he met with India’s telecommunications minister and regulatory officials to explore market entry opportunities.
“We are preparing for the future, because launch capacity needs to be prepared very much in advance,” Fallacher explained. “India is a huge country … so getting market access is strategic.”
ISRO previously launched 72 OneWeb satellites using its LVM3 rocket system before the companies merged. These refrigerator-sized satellites deliver high-speed internet connectivity to government agencies and commercial clients.
India is currently restructuring its space sector strategy, transferring routine manufacturing and commercial operations to private companies while allowing ISRO to concentrate on cutting-edge research and exploration missions. Government projections estimate India’s domestic space industry could reach approximately $44 billion in value by 2033.
Regarding Eutelsat’s financial position, Fallacher stated the company has secured complete funding through 2031. The organization currently operates 650 satellites and anticipates expanding to over 1,000 units “very soon,” according to the CEO. Airbus is constructing 440 additional satellites, while a planned OneWeb enhancement for the European Union’s IRIS² initiative will further expand the fleet.
When asked about comparisons to Starlink’s 10,000-satellite network, Fallacher emphasized that Eutelsat would expand as market demands require.
“It’s not a question of number of satellites, because when you are higher in space, you need fewer satellites. As soon as it’s becoming a limitation, we will order new satellites and we will grow the constellation,” he stated.
The company secured its financial stability through a 5 billion euro ($5.7 billion) refinancing arrangement last year, which positioned the French government as the largest shareholder.
“We will not come back next year or the year after to request additional funding from the market,” Fallacher assured.
Eutelsat projects spending approximately 2 billion euros to purchase and deploy its 440 planned satellites by 2030. Launch services typically represent 30% to 40% of total program expenses.
