Bharti Space Bolsters Europe’s Satellite Future with €150 Million Backing in Eutelsat’s €1.5 Billion Fundraising

Mumbai, 11 July 2025: In a move reaffirming its long-term commitment to global space connectivity, Bharti Space has joined France and the United Kingdom in supporting Eutelsat’s €1.5 billion capital raise. This strategic contribution marks Bharti Space’s continued leadership in building robust, sovereign satellite infrastructure to compete with global players like Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Bharti Space Strengthens Its Role in Europe’s Satellite Vision

As part of this capital infusion, Bharti Space is investing a total of €150 million, including €30 million through Reserved Capital Increase (RCI) and €120.1 million via a rights issue. France leads the fundraising with a commitment of €551 million, while the UK has pledged €163.3 million. The total funding is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, enabling Eutelsat to scale its capabilities across Europe and beyond.

Strategic Shareholding Reflects Bharti’s Long-Term Stake in Eutelsat

Following this fundraising round, Eutelsat’s shareholding structure will evolve to reflect a balanced and multinational composition. Bharti Space will hold a 17.88% stake, positioning it as the second-largest shareholder after the French government, which will command 29.65%. The UK government will hold 10.89%, followed by CMA CGM with 7.46% and FSP with 4.99%. This shift from Bharti’s earlier 24% holding represents a deliberate recalibration, encouraging broader strategic collaboration.

Bharti Space Echoes Call for Global Sovereign Connectivity

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Co-Chairman of Eutelsat Group, reiterated the importance of trusted, sovereign connectivity solutions for governments and critical sectors. Aligning with French President Emmanuel Macron’s appeal for global cooperation in space innovation, Bharti Space’s investment underscores its vision of a resilient satellite ecosystem that can serve global needs, particularly in the Global South and high-demand regions.

Accelerating OneWeb’s Global Expansion with Dual-Orbit Advantage

The capital will be used to further strengthen Eutelsat’s OneWeb satellite constellation, which integrates low-Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) capabilities. This hybrid structure is key to delivering secure, high-performance broadband and supports governments, enterprises, and humanitarian missions across continents.

UK, France, and Bharti Shape a New Satellite Era

The collective support from France, the UK, and Bharti Space not only meets the fundraising target but signals renewed momentum in Europe’s satellite ambitions. According to Eutelsat CEO Jean-Francois Fallacher, the UK remains a critical market for future OneWeb services, aligning with Eutelsat’s vision of global digital sovereignty.

Bharti Space Pushes Back as Starlink Eyes Indian Market

The timing of this capital raise is especially significant as Starlink gains regulatory approvals in India through IN-SPACe and the Department of Telecommunications. Bharti Space’s investment reasserts its position in a competitive global satellite market and prepares Eutelsat for a stronger presence in emerging markets like India, where demand for broadband connectivity is soaring.

A Strategic and Balanced Capital Structure

The €1.5 billion raise comprises two core components:

Reserved Capital Increase (€828 million)

• France (APE): €551 million
• Bharti Space: €30 million
• UK Government: €90 million
• CMA CGM: €100 million
• FSP: €57 million

Rights Issue (€672 million)

• Bharti Space: €120.1 million

This well-structured financing ensures long-term investor commitment while allowing broader participation in Eutelsat’s future.

Bharti Space Champions Next-Gen Satellite Infrastructure

As Eutelsat scales up, Bharti Space remains a driving force behind its growth, enabling faster deployment of next-generation broadband across geographies. This investment cements Bharti Space’s role not just as a financial contributor but as a strategic partner in Europe’s effort to build a secure, inclusive, and independent space communication framework.

Disclaimer:  At HDFC SKY, we take utmost care and due diligence in curating and presenting news and market-related content. However, inadvertent errors or omissions may occasionally occur.

If you have any concerns, questions, or wish to point out any discrepancies in our content, please feel free to write to us at content@hdfcsec.com

Please note that the information shared is intended solely for informational purposes and does not make any investment recommendations