Astrium has been awarded a multimillion-euro contract to provide welfare communications services to deployed German troops.

Under the four-year contract, the company will provide services to troops from 1 July 2011 for current and future operations after a six-month implementation phase, which began on 1 January 2011.

German troops will be provided with a full range of telecommunication infrastructure and related services that include internet access and GSM networks for private use.

The Bundeswehr is also planning to provide 30 free phone minutes a week for each deployed German soldier.