Syracuse-3B Satellite (5° West) – Secure Military Communications for the French Ministry of Defense

Syracuse-3B is a high-security geostationary military communications satellite positioned at 5° West, operated by the French Ministry of Defense. It is part of the Syracuse III satellite constellation, which provides encrypted, resilient communication capabilities for the French Armed Forces across the globe.

Overview of the Syracuse Satellite Program

Syracuse (SYstème de RAdioCommunication Utilisant un SatellitE) is France’s military satellite communications program designed to enable secure, long-range connectivity between command centers in mainland France and deployed military units worldwide. The program supports strategic operations in peacetime, crisis, and conflict, contributing to command, intelligence, and logistics capabilities.

The Syracuse system ensures autonomous satellite communications for the French military, including hardened resistance to electronic warfare, jamming, cyberattacks, and electromagnetic pulses.

Generations of Syracuse Satellites

Syracuse I & II (1980s–1990s)

• Syracuse I and II were hosted payloads on France’s dual-use Télécom 1 and 2 satellites.

• These early systems served both civilian and military users and were operated in collaboration with French PTT.

• Syracuse II shared development with British Skynet 4 satellites, marking early international cooperation.

Syracuse III (2005–2015)

Syracuse III was the first fully dedicated French military satellite system, owned and operated by the French Joint Defense Staff.

• Syracuse-3A: Launched on October 13, 2005

• Syracuse-3B: Launched on August 11, 2006

• SICRAL 2: A collaborative satellite with Italy, launched April 26, 2015

Key Features:

• 423+ ground terminals across military branches

• Encrypted voice, video, data, and multimedia services

• Ground infrastructure operated by the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) for mission support

• French Navy integration with Telcomarsat for maritime communication

Syracuse IV – The Next-Generation Satellite System

In 2018, France launched the Syracuse IV program to replace the Syracuse III constellation and strengthen European space defense.

Syracuse-4A

• Launch Date: October 24, 2021, via Ariane 5 ECA

• Mass: 3,850 kg

• Power: Electric plasma propulsion

• Bands: X-band and Ka-band

• Throughput: 3–4 Gb/s (triple that of Syracuse-3 satellites)

• Features: Environmental monitoring, in-orbit maneuvering, anti-jamming, hardened against cyber and electromagnetic threats

Syracuse-4B

• Launch Date: July 5, 2023 (final Ariane 5 flight)

Originally, a third satellite (Syracuse 4C) was planned but canceled in 2023 in favor of investing in the European Union’s IRIS² satellite internet constellation. Plans are underway for Syracuse V, the fifth-generation system, with development expected under France’s 2024–2030 Military Planning Law for deployment post-2035.

Syracuse Satellite Program: Key Benefits

• Enables real-time, secure military communications worldwide

• Fully owned by the French Armed Forces, ensuring strategic independence

• Resistant to modern warfare threats including cyberattacks, jamming, and EMP

• Supports missions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond