Eutelsat has confirmed that the UK government will participate in its upcoming capital increase alongside France and key global investors, marking a significant push for a European alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The Paris-based satellite operator revealed that a total of €163.3 million will be invested by a coalition of partners—including His Majesty’s Government, the French State (via APE), Bharti Space Limited, CMA CGM, and FSP—pending shareholder and regulatory approval. The full capital raise will include two tranches:
Reserved Capital Increase: €828 million, French State: €551M, UK Government: €90M, CMA CGM: €100M, Bharti Space Limited: €30M, FSP: €57M, Rights Issue: €672 million, and Combined, both will bring the total to €1.5 billion, expected to close by end of 2025.
This move, initially hinted at by President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to the UK, is intended to reinforce Europe’s position in the global satellite race, particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services.
“We are delighted by this support from His Majesty’s Government… the UK remains one of our home markets,” said Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat.
Peter Kyle, UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, emphasized the strategic value of satellite tech:
“Satellites underpin industrial activity worth £364 billion to the UK economy… their critical role extends to national security in the face of increasing threats from space.”
After the transaction, the French State will hold a 29.65% stake in Eutelsat, retaining influence without triggering takeover rules.
The capital injection marks a deepening UK-France tech alliance and reaffirms Europe’s ambition to create sovereign, secure space infrastructure—less reliant on foreign private-sector dominance.