France and Germany are urging the European Union to accelerate the development of a robust European space policy, prioritizing European-made equipment and services to bolster the continent’s security and competitiveness. The call to action, made Tuesday at the European Space Conference, highlights growing concerns about reliance on external partners, particularly the United States, amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. Ministers stressed the urgency of the situation, stating “time is of the essence” for securing Europe’s future in space.
The push for a more independent European space sector comes as the war in Ukraine underscores the critical importance of space assets for defense and security. Both officials pointed to recent geopolitical actions – including reported US tariff threats related to Greenland – as catalysts for change, demonstrating the unpredictability of traditional alliances and the need for self-reliance.
The Need for a Stronger European Space Policy
For years, the EU has been working to improve coordination in space, recognizing it’s fallen behind the US and China in technological advancement and strategic positioning. The conflict in Ukraine has dramatically focused attention on this gap, demonstrating that access to space-based capabilities – from communication to navigation and intelligence – is vital for modern warfare and national security.
The European Commission has already identified space assets as a key priority within its Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, aiming to ensure member states are prepared for potential threats, including a possible Russian attack. Investments are being directed towards strategic enablers like ammunition, air defense, drones, and, crucially, space-based systems, according to the Commission’s published roadmap.
Boosting European Industry
A central tenet of the proposed shift is prioritizing European industry. French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, Philipe Baptiste, argued for a “100% European preference” when it comes to funding space and defense projects. This reflects a broader trend within the EU towards strengthening its domestic defense industrial base, as seen with existing funding requirements for EU defense schemes.
Baptiste explained that using European funds to develop European technology prevents external dependencies that could allow other countries to disrupt access to critical space infrastructure, either through launch restrictions or by employing “kill switches” on systems containing foreign-made components. Germany has pledged significant investment, committing €35 billion to military space capabilities by 2030, and remains a major contributor to the European Space Agency.
However, implementing this vision requires full consensus among all 27 EU member states, a challenge given differing national interests and priorities. Baptiste acknowledged past slow progress, but expressed optimism, stating the US is “helping us every day on this topic” by highlighting the importance of independent European capabilities.
German Minister for Space, Dorothee Bär, echoed the call for urgency, stating “Waiting is not an option.” She emphasized the importance of interoperability – ensuring that space assets from different European countries can work together seamlessly – and advocated for a “safe, sustainable, and peaceful use of space”. Bär also underscored the increasing threats to European freedom and security, positioning a strong space sector as essential to defending these values.
The potential development of a “European Space Shield,” one of four flagship defense projects proposed by the EU, remains largely undefined, but the concept aligns with the overall goal of bolstering Europe’s resilience in space. The initiative aims to provide collective defense capabilities in the domain.
This push for greater European autonomy in space isn’t solely about defense. Investment in domestic space infrastructure is also expected to foster innovation and economic growth within the European space industry, potentially creating new jobs and solidifying Europe’s position as a leader in space technology and research including crucial areas like satellite technology.
Looking ahead, the success of this endeavor will depend on continued collaboration and investment from EU member states. Key to watch will be the concrete details of the European Space Shield and how effectively the “European preference” policy is implemented across various space projects. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming EU policy announcements and funding allocations for further details on how this space strategy will unfold.
