OHB SE’s Swedish subsidiary has been awarded a contract valued at €248 million to develop and manufacture 20 small satellites. This represents the single largest satellite order in the history of Sweden’s space sector. The program is designed to enhance European weather forecasting with Arctic climate data through at least the year 2042.
Financial Performance and Strategic Targets
This major contract award coincides with a period of significant operational growth for the parent company, OHB SE. In its most recent fiscal year, the group reported a 21 percent increase in revenue, reaching €1.25 billion. Its adjusted EBIT stood at €84 million. The order backlog has surged to a record €3.19 billion, marking an increase of approximately €800 million compared to the previous year.
Company management has set clear financial objectives, targeting revenue of €1.4 billion with an EBITDA margin of 11 percent by 2026. The goal is to surpass the €2 billion revenue mark by 2028. Investors will gain insight into the progress of the first quarter of 2026 when the interim report is published on May 7.
From Prototype to Full Constellation
The new contract builds directly on the success of the Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) prototype. OHB Sweden developed this demonstrator for the European Space Agency (ESA) and successfully placed it into orbit within a mere three-year timeframe. This achievement led the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) to entrust the Swedish unit with the complete follow-on program.
Under the EPS-Sterna program, OHB Sweden will deliver the 20 small satellites. They will operate in a constellation featuring six active units at any given time, with two additional satellites serving as in-orbit reserves. The initial launch of a first batch of six satellites is scheduled for 2029. A two-fold renewal of the constellation will ensure continuous operational service until 2042. EUMETSAT estimates the economic value of the improved weather data for Europe at over €30 billion.
In a notable shift for the Swedish operation, historically known as a component supplier, OHB Sweden will now lead a consortium of roughly 30 European companies in executing this project.