Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, has awarded Airbus the SATCOMBw 3 prime contract for the next-generation secure military satellite system, including geostationary satellites and ground segment, launch and operation for 15 years. The spacecraft are due to launch before the end of the decade and the contract value amounts to €2.1 billion and are the successor communications satellites to COMSATBw 1B and 2B.