Galileo Gen-2 and BeiDou's refit reshape the navigation race as GPS slips behind

Summary

The satellite-navigation race is shifting under jamming pressure. The EU has committed funding for Galileo Gen-2, slated to begin launching in 2026; Galileo's free High Accuracy Service already delivers ~20 cm horizontal accuracy, the best civilian GNSS service. China is running an in-orbit BeiDou refit, replacing older satellites with third-generation models and consolidating the active constellation to 37 from ~50, while courting global adoption. The candid US read: its PNT advisory board has called GPS "substantially inferior" to BeiDou. The jamming epidemic is driving everyone, GPS, Galileo and startups, toward LEO-PNT layers and multi-constellation receivers for resilience. Navigation is becoming a contest of standards and influence as much as of accuracy, paralleling the broadband race.

By the numbers

• 37, BeiDou active satellites after consolidation (from ~50).
• ~20 cm, Galileo High Accuracy Service horizontal accuracy (free).
• 2026, start of Galileo Gen-2 launches.
• 4, global GNSS systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) now interoperable in receivers.

Why it matters

Whoever's navigation signals the world's phones, ships and weapons default to gains strategic leverage, and a jamming-resilient system is now a security necessity, not a convenience. GPS losing its edge to BeiDou is a quiet shift with military and economic weight.

What to watch

• First Galileo Gen-2 launches and their resilience features.
• BeiDou's export adoption in the Global South.
• Whether US LEO-PNT programmes get funded to close the gap.