A military communications satellite for Italy and France has been launched into geostationary orbit by the Space Alliance of Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio.

Finmeccanica, which created the alliance with Thales, said SICRAL 2 was sent aloft aboard an Arianespace launch vehicle from Kouou, French Guiana, last Sunday and will have a service life of more than 15 years.

The satellite was built by Thales Alenia Space under a joint program of France's Direction Générale de l'Armement procurement agency and Italy's Ministry of Defense to enhance the communications capabilities of Italy's SICRAL 1 and SICRAL 1B satellites and France's Syracuse 3A and 3B satellites, which are already in orbit.

"SICRAL 2 offers unprecedented flexibility and versatility," Finmeccanica said. "It will ensure interoperability with existing satellite systems, NATO traffic terminals and current national telecommunications networks.

"The satellite will provide strategic and tactical satellite communications services, supporting military land, sea and air platforms used by armed forces to guarantee internal and external security."

Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the design of the entire SICRAL 2 system, along with development, integration and testing of the satellite and ground segment architecture.

Telespazio participated in the implementation, integration and testing phases of the Satellite Control Center for the main SICRAL system in Italy and is responsible for the interconnection system between the Italian and French Mission Center.