Commissioned by Hisdesat on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Defence, the programme marks a significant advancement for Spain’s space industry. Approximately 65% of the satellite components will be developed by Spanish companies, under Airbus leadership.
The PAZ-2 satellites will offer major enhancements in performance compared to their predecessor. They will deliver radar imagery at resolutions better than 25 centimetres, cover up to 6.7 million km² per day per satellite, and complete 16 orbits of Earth daily.
These advancements will boost the Spanish Armed Forces’ intelligence and surveillance capabilities. They will also support civilian uses including infrastructure monitoring, risk management, border control, and disaster assessment, operating 24/7 in all weather conditions.
“In the current geopolitical context, with the PAZ-2 satellites, Airbus reaffirms its commitment to strengthening technological sovereignty in security and defence, as well as its leadership in the national and European space sector,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Airbus Space Systems.
Airbus will design, assemble, and test the satellites at its facility in Getafe, Spain, and will apply its expertise in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. The company will lead a consortium of over 15 Spanish firms contributing to the mission.
The first PAZ-2 satellite is expected to become operational by mid-2031. This contract enables Hisdesat and Airbus to continue leading in high-value X-band radar services, advancing Spain’s Earth observation capacity and reinforcing Europe’s strategic resilience.
