Update: Melco to develop defence communications satellite for Japan

An artist's impression of Mitsubishi Electric's next-generation defence satellite communications system. (Mitsubishi Electric)

Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) has awarded a contract worth JPY123.5 billion (USD805 million) to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Melco) to develop and build a satellite communications (satcom) system for the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

Melco announced on 6 February that under the contract, it will build a next-generation geostationary (GEO) communications satellite to replace the JSDF's Kirameki-2 X-band communications satellite, which was launched in January 2017.

Melco said it will also design the ground systems and infrastructure required to operate the new satellite.

A Melco spokesperson told Janes , “We plan to expand the frequency bands of the next-generation communication satellite to meet the anticipated increase in communication demands of customers. Additionally, the satellite is going to be equipped with a digital communications payload that can provide high-capacity and flexible communications. We believe these technologies will make the satellite communication more resistant to interference and increase overall communication capacity.”

Melco said that the new satellite's digital communications payload will be “capable of flexibly altering its beam coverage areas and communications capacity during operation” to meet different communication requirements of the MoD and the JSDF. “The ground segment will be designed to ensure safe and stable communications,” Melco added.

Melco said it intends to deliver the new communications satellite to the MoD by the end of March 2030.

For more, please see:

Feature: Japan sharpens defence technology focus

This article, originally published on 6 February 2026, has been updated with new information.