Airbus and Bangladesh Ignite Talks on Second National Satellite: A New Era of Surveillance and Sovereign Communications

Reading Time: 4 minutes Bangladesh’s strategic ambitions in space are entering a new phase as Airbus and the Bangladesh Armed Forces continue discussions on a second national satellite—informally referenced within defence circles as Bangladesh Satellite-2. This proposed system is not envisaged as a traditional broadcasting or civilian communications asset, but as a dedicated surveillance and secure military communications platform designed to close critical capability gaps in an increasingly complex regional environment. In recent months, several senior Airbus officials, alongside ambassadors and representatives from France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, have met with the Bangladesh Armed Forces to explore collaborative frameworks for developing the country’s space sector with advanced European technology. These engagements signal a coordinated European interest in supporting Dhaka’s emerging space strategy and fostering long-term industrial cooperation. Although officials on both sides have remained tight-lipped about the precise defence programmes under discussion, indications from diplomatic and industry