SICRAL: Italy’s Secure Military Satellite Communications System

Overview
SICRAL (Sistema Italiano per Comunicazioni Riservate ed Allarmi, or Italian System for Secure Communications and Alerts) is Italy’s national satellite program dedicated to military and strategic communications. Designed to support confidential operations, the SICRAL system enables secure communication for defense, law enforcement, civil emergency services, and strategic infrastructure operators.

The program deploys geostationary satellites to provide both strategic and tactical communications, supporting missions within Italy and internationally.

Development and Industry Partners
The SICRAL program was developed by the SITAB consortium, which originally included:

• Alenia Spazio (70%) – a Finmeccanica company (now Thales Alenia Space)

• Fiat Avio (20%)

• Telespazio (10%)

SICRAL 1: Europe’s Most Advanced Satellite at the Time
Launched in 2001, SICRAL 1 was the first satellite in the system and brought several groundbreaking capabilities:

• Simultaneous operations on SHF, EHF, and UHF frequency bands – a first in Europe

• Onboard frequency band switching – a world first

• Europe’s most powerful UHF repeater, integrated with SHF/EHF channels for interoperability

Although SICRAL 1 is no longer operational, it set a new standard for military satellite communications across Europe.

Program Phases and Expansions

1. SICRAL 1 – Launched in 2001 (now retired)

2. SICRAL 1B – Contract signed in late 2006; launched in 2009

3. SICRAL 2 – Launched in April 2015, developed in collaboration with France

4. SICRAL 3 – In 2021, Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space signed a contract with the Italian Ministry of Defenseto develop the SICRAL 3 system, including its ground segment and infrastructure

Each phase has increased the system’s flexibility, resilience, and interoperability, ensuring Italy’s military and civil agencies remain connected in high-stakes environments.