Brussels, Belgium – EU leaders identified last year space as a strategic domain in the Strategic Compass and called for an EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. Today, the European Commission released the EU’s new strategy for using space technology to improve security and defence.
According to the press release, space technology and applications play an increasingly important role in modern security and defence operations, including satellite navigation, reconnaissance, and communication. The EU’s new space strategy aims to strengthen and coordinate its use of the space programme for these purposes.
The strategy outlines the counterspace capabilities and main threats in space that put at risk space systems and their ground infrastructure. It proposes actions to strengthen the resilience and protection of space systems and services in the EU. The strategy proposes a possible EU Space Law and an Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) to raise awareness and facilitate exchange. Also the access to space and the technological sovereignty are objectives of the strategy.
The EU’s new space strategy is closely linked to its security and defence policy, and is intended to complement existing efforts in this area. At the same time, concrete measures to mobilise relevant EU tools to respond to space threats are proposed, following an increased threat of the space segment of EU’s programmes. The strategy will also contribute to the EU’s broader objectives, such as promoting European technological sovereignty and protecting European citizens and infrastructure.
Space has become a key enabler not only for our European societies and economies, but also for security and defence. Without security, there can be no future in Space. As highlighted in the Strategic Compass, space is a strategic domain. For the first time, we are putting forward a strategy that will pull together all our tools to protect EU space assets and ensure that everyone can benefit from space services.
EU’s High Representative and Vice-President Josep Borrell on 10/03/2023
The EU’s new space strategy represents a significant step forward in using space technology for security and defence purposes. The strategy recognizes the increasing importance of space in these areas and outlines a comprehensive approach for strengthening and coordinating the EU’s use of space capabilities.
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