24/03/2023 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission on Friday 24 March announced the launch of a call for tenders for the award of a concession contract for the implementation of the EU satellite constellation called IRIS², which will benefit from an EU budget contribution of €2.4 billion (see EUROPE 13121/15). The proposals will be evaluated in a competitive dialogue, with a view to signing a contract by early 2024, the Commission said in a statement. Full operational capability for government services is planned for 2027. “The public-private partnership between the Commission and the private sector will ensure joint investment in the design, development, deployment and operation of government and commercial infrastructure and its use”, the Commission explained. See the call for tender: https://aeur.eu/f/60m (CG)