Russia plans to allocate 53.6 ₽ billion from the federal budget to replace its aging Express satellite constellation. The current fleet, operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC), faces decommissioning between 2029 and 2030, necessitating a transition to domestically produced hardware due to international sanctions.
The project involves the construction of eight new geostationary satellites. Three of these units are scheduled to enter service in 2029, with the remaining five following in 2030. Funding for the initiative will be supplemented by the RSCC's own resources, with one satellite being built entirely through non-budgetary funds and another through a mixed financing model.
The RSCC currently manages 12 geostationary satellites, which support television and radio broadcasting, data transmission, and maritime communications. In 2025, the network facilitated the transmission of 1,100 channels. Experts note that the shift to domestic production has extended the manufacturing timeline for a single satellite from 4–5 years to 6–7 years.
Industry analysts emphasize that maintaining a sovereign satellite network is critical for national infrastructure. Beyond the manufacturing costs, which range from 12 ₽ billion to 14 ₽ billion per unit, significant additional capital is required for launch and insurance. State support is considered essential to prevent the loss of orbital and frequency rights.
