The agreement forms part of the HUSAT programme, Hungary’s flagship satellite initiative aimed at strengthening national technological sovereignty. The programme includes one geostationary communications satellite, HUGEO, and eight low Earth orbit Earth observation satellites planned for deployment by 2030.
Under the agreement, Northrop Grumman will design and manufacture the HUGEO satellite using its GEOStar-3 platform. The company will also handle integration, testing, delivery, launch preparation and early operational support.
The satellite is intended to provide Hungary with dual-use communications capabilities. Officials said the project represents the largest international collaboration within the HUSAT programme.
The partnership also expands a previously signed memorandum of understanding between the companies. It extends cooperation into areas such as counter-unmanned aerial systems, advanced weapons and precision guidance technologies.
4iG S&D also signed additional agreements with L3Harris Technologies and Apex Technology. These agreements aim to enhance defence digitalisation and establish a European-based small satellite manufacturing capability.
The Apex partnership includes plans for a joint venture focused on scalable satellite production. The initiative is intended to support the growing demand for multi-satellite constellations using standardized manufacturing approaches.
Under a preliminary agreement with L3Harris, 4iG S&D plans to integrate HIMARS rocket systems onto locally manufactured military trucks. The programme is expected to be implemented under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales framework.
The cooperation also supports broader defence digitalisation efforts. Officials said it includes integration of NATO-compatible communications, simulation and training systems.
“Today, we signed a landmark agreement with Northrop Grumman to secure Hungary’s access to critical dual-use satellite communications capabilities, a key enabling technology in today’s geopolitical environment,” said István Sárhegyi, Chairman and CEO of 4iG S&D.
“Our agreements with L3Harris Technologies and Apex Technology, together with our existing partnerships and investments with Lockheed Martin and Axiom Space, demonstrate our ability to collaborate with leading global technology partners while integrating Hungarian industrial and engineering capabilities to deliver new, export-ready and NATO-compatible solutions in Hungary and across the region,” he added.
Sárhegyi said transatlantic cooperation will play a central role in future innovation. “We believe transatlantic cooperation will be a key driver of space and defence innovation in the coming decade, in which 4iG S&D aims to play a pioneering role among other Hungarian and regional companies,” he said.
Officials said the agreements strengthen Hungary’s position within transatlantic defence and space industry networks. The partnerships are intended to expand national capabilities while supporting regional and global cooperation.
