Feb 27 2026

NCIA highlights the evolving SATCOM posture at the GOVSATCOM conference

On 26 February 2026, experts from the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) took part in the GOVSATCOM conference in Luxembourg. The event brought together key players and influencers in the field of government satellite communications, space and defence.

During the event, John Blythe, Chief of the NATO Integrated Mission Services Centre (NIMSC) at NCIA, briefed participants on how commercial solutions and faster development cycles have expanded opportunities in the space domain, while also intensifying pressure on available capacity. “These trends, combined with growing operational requirements and persistent risks of interference and obsolescence, continue to drive the need for a more agile and resilient satellite communications (SATCOM) posture across the Alliance. These developments are redefining how we operate,” Blythe stated. “We must anticipate change and ensure NATO’s communications remain secure, reliable and ready for any mission.”

NCIA highlights the evolving SATCOM posture at the GOVSATCOM conference

The briefing outlined NCIA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen NATO’s SATCOM capabilities, including improvements to terminals, spectrum efficiency and protected communications, reinforcing SATCOM as a core element of NATO’s operational backbone.

NCIA’s Pinar Yasar Orten, Head of Next Generation Communication Networks under the Chief Technology Office, also took stage during the event. During a panel discussion, she addressed the transformation of emerging technologies into fielded capabilities, providing concrete examples of NCIA flagship initiatives which deliver innovation to both NATO and its Allies, such as the Multinational 5G program and Northlink, the Multi Orbit Arctic SATCOM capability.

“As organizations race to adopt advanced communications technologies, they must ensure resilience, data protection, and strategic autonomy. Achieving seamless interoperability without compromising reliability or security requires careful planning and rigorous validation processes," stated Yasar Orten.

The event underscored that the future of NATO’s SATCOM capabilities will not only depend on technological advancement, but on close cooperation among Allies, industry and mission partners to integrate innovative solutions. As NATO’s key technology provider, NCIA continues to be part of the dialogue, connecting the dots between industry and the Alliance to deliver secure SATCOM capabilities.