September 8, 2026
Bundeswehr tasks Space Agency with finding EW systems to suppress navigation and Starlink-class comms as 45th Tank Brigade in Lithuania needs coverage by 2029
German armed forces began searching for solution involving satellite constellation suppression assets, both navigational and communications. Bundeswehr assigned this task to German Space Agency.
Currently this involves only market research, announcement of which agency made on European tender platform TED, which Hartpunkt publication noticed. It is directed only at determining what EW systems of such class currently exist and can be procured in short-term perspective.
Main requirement for such systems is capability to suppress signals from satellites on low, medium and geostationary orbits. System must fully suppress signals, or in case of countering satellite navigation, as one countermeasure variant — spoof coordinates.
Desired readiness level for such EW systems is 2029, full asset set providing brigade responsibility zone coverage (45th Bundeswehr Tank Brigade taken as reference) must be ready within 3.5 years, while timeline for equipping entire Bundeswehr with such systems is 6 years, meaning 2035.
Also from companies responding to information request, expected is analysis of their EW systems’ impact on own forces’ communications and navigation assets. As well as mass production capability and independence from American components, so-called ITAR-free approach.
Defense Express notes requirements do not specify which exactly satellite constellations these systems should work against, but evidently this involves specifically russian satellite constellations, as well as civilian solutions that may be used by russia.
Specifically 45th Tank Brigade of German armed forces (Panzerbrigade 45) is new formation deploying in Lithuania on permanent basis specifically for protection from russia. Also in Berlin they cannot but assess Ukraine’s experience using Starlink on long-range strike assets, as well as russia’s attempts to suppress it. Additionally, Kremlin attempts to orbit Rassvet satellites also could not but concern Bundeswehr.
At same time, fact that German military only now raised question of effective satellite navigation suppression, meaning GPS, GLONASS and others, causes certain surprise. Because russia itself with Tobol complex in Kaliningrad Oblast has been attempting to suppress GPS in Europe, and it genuinely creates problems.
Quite clearly, Pistorius is not fit for the job.