By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The European Union has
reaffirmed its plans to strengthen its space capabilities, security and
strategic autonomy, with officials highlighting satellite communications, Earth
observation, launch infrastructure and protection against emerging threats during
the International Space Summit in Paris.
Held at the Grand Palais,
the two-day summit brought together European institutions, Member States,
industry and international partners to discuss Europe’s ambitions in space and
the capabilities needed to strengthen connectivity, security and independent
access to orbit.
European Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron used their
interventions to underline the strategic importance of space and the need for
Europe to invest and act collectively.
Security was a major focus
of the discussions, with European officials pointing to the growing dependence
of defence and critical infrastructure on satellite communications and imagery.
The conflict in Ukraine was cited as demonstrating the importance of
space-based capabilities in modern security operations.
The EU also highlighted
growing threats to space and communications infrastructure, including satellite
jamming and spoofing, cyberattacks and other forms of disruption.
In response, Europe is
developing IRIS², a secure multi-orbit satellite communications constellation,
as well as the proposed European Space Shield under the Defence Readiness
Roadmap 2030.
The European External Action
Service and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry
and Space are working together on the Space Shield initiative, which is
intended to strengthen Europe’s ability to protect its space assets and preserve
its position as a space power.
During a panel on “Space as
a Theatre of Conflict: Implications for Multi-Domain Operations,” the EU
Special Envoy for Space highlighted the importance of space capabilities to
Europe’s strategic autonomy and the need for closer coordination among European
institutions.
The EU said strengthening
space security must also be accompanied by international engagement. European
officials stressed the importance of working with third countries and through
United Nations multilateral processes to improve transparency, reduce risks and
promote responsible behaviour in space.
European Commissioner for
Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius highlighted several major initiatives,
including IRIS², the European Space Shield, European space transportation and
the development of Earth observation capabilities.
He also pointed to the
launch of the Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellite and the growing role of Earth
observation in supporting European defence and security objectives.
The summit also provided an
opportunity for European institutions to engage with international partners and
industry stakeholders on emerging technologies and potential areas of
cooperation.
