The SICRAL (Italian System for Secure Communications and Alerts) program deploys geostationary satellites for confidential strategic and tactical communications, to support defense missions both in Italy and abroad.
Over the years, the program has been divided into several phases. The first began in 2001 with the launch of the SICRAL 1, no longer in service. The second phase began in 2009 with the launch of SICRAL 1B, and the third phase, in cooperation with France, started in April 2015 with the launch of SICRAL 2.
In 2021, Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space have signed a contract with the Italian Ministry of Defense for the development of the SICRAL 3 secure satellite communications system, including its ground segment.