The information gathered and delivered through satellites is critical for NATO activities, operations and missions, including collective defence, crisis response and counter-terrorism. Through the use of satellites, Allies and NATO can respond to crises with greater speed, effectiveness and precision.
The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) has been delivering essential space-based products, data and services to the Alliance since the 1970s.
As space becomes increasingly vital and contested, NATO’s access to space capabilities and maintaining a competitive advantage in this domain are crucial. In 2023, NCIA established a Space Technology Adoption and Resilience (STAR) team to provide technical expertise and strategic advice on space technologies, as part of the Alliance’s ongoing effort to best ensure and deliver a wide range of space-based capabilities.
Over 160 NCIA experts work to deliver these capabilities, which include, among others, SATCOM; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; positioning, navigation and timing; and meteorological and oceanography.
Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS)
NCIA is working in close cooperation with Allied Command Operations (ACO) to support the delivery of the Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS), a multi-year, multinational initiative transforming the way NATO gathers and uses data from space. This strengthens NATO’s intelligence and surveillance, and provides essential support to NATO’s military missions and operations.
The initiative consists of the establishment of a virtual constellation, named Aquila, of both national and commercial satellites, leveraging the latest advances in commercial space technology. As such, it helps streamline data collection, sharing and analysis among NATO Allies and Commands, while generating cost savings. The initiative is part of NATO’s ongoing digital transformation and the NATO 2030 agenda.
In the margins of the NATO Summit in Washington D.C, Defence Ministers from 17 NATO Allies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to strengthening the APSS initiative. The Allies involved will contribute to and benefit from an improved intelligence capacity and situational awareness, which will accelerate informed decision-making for the Alliance. Participating Allies will also gain a better understanding about the tasking and sharing mechanisms of space assets.
Satellite Communications
Furthermore, NCIA operates six satellite ground stations to enable seamless and secure communication channels for command centres and deployed forces across the Alliance. In 2019, NATO authorized EUR 1 billion for satellite communications (SATCOM) services for the next 15 years. In June 2023, NCIA completed the upgrade of four NATO Static Satellite Ground Stations doubling the previous SATCOM ground coverage and enabling the Alliance to do more with fewer stations. “SATCOM is the backbone of modern military operations; facilitating critical visibility, situational awareness, and connectivity on the battlefield,” stated Pinar Yasar Orten, Head of SATCOM Technologies.
In addition, NCIA supports the Allied Ground Surveillance (AGS) with satellite-based communications services. NCIA’s support comprises the five aircraft, static and deployable ground stations as well as pilot/crew trainers and simulators, including the setup of the ground infrastructure.
NCIA’s contributions also include the design of the satellite communications architecture that supports AGS operations. AGS is essential for a range of missions such as protection of ground troops and civilian populations, border control and maritime safety, the fight against terrorism, crisis management and humanitarian assistance in natural disasters. During each mission, NCIA’s SATCOM team supports the operations on the ground in case of anomalies or other issues.
The NCIA remains committed to continue delivering these critical space services and providing support in communication, intelligence gathering, navigation, missile defence and cyber security to NATO activities, operations and missions.