On 10 March 2023, the European Commission and the EU High Representative presented in a Joint Communication the “EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence” aimed at bridging the gap between space and defence.
The Strategic Compass of March 2022, issued one month after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, already identified space as a strategic domain in the geopolitical context of growing power competition and the intensification of threats. It underlined the need to boost the security and defence dimensions of the EU in space.
Protection of space assets
The new strategy is aimed to protect the EU’s space assets, defend its interests, deter hostile activities in space and strengthen its strategic posture and autonomy. It outlines the counterspace capabilities in the EU and main threats in space that put space systems and their ground infrastructure at risk. To strengthen the resilience and protection of space systems and services in the EU, the Commission will:
- Propose an EU space law to provide a common framework for security, safety, and sustainability in space, and ensure a consistent and EU-wide approach.
- Set up an Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) to raise awareness and facilitate the exchange of best practices among commercial and relevant public entities on resilience measures for space capabilities.
- Launch preparatory work to ensure long-term EU autonomous access to space, addressing in particular the security and defence needs.
- Enhance the technological sovereignty of the EU by reducing strategic dependencies and ensuring security of supply for space and defence, in close coordination with the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Pilot projects
The strategy proposes the launch of two pilots: one for the delivery of initial space domain awareness services building upon capacities of Member States, and another for a new earth observation governmental service (EOGS). The latter will be made available to EU Member States in the next EU multi-annual financial framework (2028-2034) and will harness space data in support of autonomous European decision-making in the area of security and defence.
Council conclusions
On 14 November 2023, the Council of the EU issued conclusions welcoming the new strategy. The Council proposed to:
- Increase the EU’s understanding of space threats through a yearly classified analysis, and the strengthening of military and civilian intelligence services on space security.
- Enhance the resilience and protection of space systems and services, acknowledging the Commission’s intention to propose an EU space law.
- Better respond to space threats through space domain awareness information, a dedicated toolbox for EU joint responses, and the further development of exercises.
Enhance the use of space for security and defence purposes by better integrating the space dimension into Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations; by strengthening the European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen); and by developing space services for governmental use at EU level, including by building on the EOGS pilot project proposed by the Commission.
