Quietly, and with little fanfare, Berlin has just taken one of its most consequential defence‑technology decisions in decades.

On 16 April 2026, Germany’s competition authority approved a joint venture between Rheinmetall Digital and satellite specialist OHB—clearing the way for a bid on the Bundeswehr’s next‑generation military satellite communications system. Regulators found no antitrust concerns: the two firms operate in different domains and bring complementary skills.

The project behind the corporate manoeuvre is anything but small. Known as SATCOMBw Stufe 4, it envisages a constellation of 100–200 low‑Earth‑orbit satellites, designed to give the German armed forces a secure, resilient and sovereign communications network—independent of commercial systems such as SpaceX’s Starlink.

In defence circles, it is already being described as “Germany’s Starlink.” And the label fits.

OHB would be responsible for the space and ground segments—building satellites and ground stations—while Rheinmetall Digital would handle the user and network layer, including terminals for soldiers, vehicles and naval platforms. The newly created joint venture would act as system integrator and prime contractor, placing it at the centre of what could become the largest space project in German history.

The price tag reflects the ambition. Estimates put the total contract value at up to €10 billion, with the Bundeswehr formally launching the tender in March 2026 and aiming for operational capability by 2029.

The competition is fierce. Airbus Defence and Space is widely seen as the other heavyweight contender, and discussions about a broader industrial consortium have reportedly circulated in Berlin.

But the strategic direction is clear: after years of relying on allies and commercial providers, Germany no longer wants its military communications to depend on someone else’s satellites—or someone else’s political decisions.

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