On 23 October 2025, three of Europe’s largest aerospace and defence firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding. As Leonardo, Airbus, and Thales agreed to merge their satellite businesses, Elon Musk’s Starlink gets a new rival.
Project Bromo, as the new satellite manufacturing company has been called, comes at a moment when Starlink launched its 10,000th satellite into orbit. Joining their forces, Leonardo, Airbus, and Thales are looking to enhance each other’s capabilities and to rival both Chinese and American companies. Satellite manufacturing, launch capabilities, ground infrastructure, and service provision would all be combined within the company.
“This proposed new company marks a pivotal milestone for Europe’s space industry. It embodies our shared vision to build a stronger and more competitive European presence in an increasingly dynamic global space market”, the chief executive officers of the three companies said in a joint statement.
Airbus, Leonardo and Thales sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a leading European player in space by combining their respective activities in satellite & space systems manufacturing and services.
— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS) October 23, 2025
This project aims to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in… pic.twitter.com/mJ09NWiqWQ
Rivalling international players
In 2024, news agency Reuters first reported on a new company aiming to combine satellite assets. Now, those rumours have been confirmed, with the official launch of Project Promo scheduled for 2027, subject to regulatory approval. Project Bromo should deliver a vertically integrated challenger capable of delivering high-throughput broadband, IoT connectivity, and secure government communications. If the current plans go through, some 25,000 people across Europe should be employed by the new company with an annual turnover of €6.5 billion.
At the moment, competing with Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink megaconstellation seems to be the main purpose of the programme. With 10,000 satellites launched into orbit and some 8,680 currently in orbit according to astronomer Jonathan MacDowell, Starlink has been allowed by the United States’ Federal Communications Commission to deploy at least 12,000 by 2026.
Leonardo, Airbus and Thales reached a framework deal to merge their satellite businesses, two sources said, moving toward an about $11.7 billion joint venture after more than a year of talks https://t.co/xognLuRO6G pic.twitter.com/XfDTcR4us1
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 20, 2025
The so-called Low Earth Orbit satellites (orbiting at an altitude of some 550 kilometers) provide a reliable internet connection in remote and previously unreachable territories. Due to Starlink’s wide coverage and low operating cost, many nations around the globe – including European countries – currently rely on the company. Airlines such as United and Scandinavian Airlines as well as other companies including Apple have already signed deals with Musk’s provider, which has quickly become the sector’s leader, and consumers don’t hesitate to jump on board neither.
By joining their forces, Airbus’s space division, Leonardo’s Defense and Space division, and Thales Alenia Space operations hope to deliver high-capacity broadband to remote regions, while competing with Starlink in terms of pricing, regulatory alignment, and customer trust.
