Satellites, space, defense: the EU steps up efforts for a common space strategy amid ambitions and obstacles

Brussels – In the new international strategic scenario, space is always less a neutral domain and increasingly a critical infrastructure. It is why the European Commission intends to strengthen its role in this field by focusing on a shared strategy and regulatory framework for the development of space capabilities in support of the Union’s security and defense. The issue was discussed today (11 June) at the European Defense and Security Summit, where institutions, industry, and private operators reflected on the political, technological, and operational priorities for building a true European space pillar.

“European defense also depends on reliable, resilient, and secure space capabilities,” said Nicolas Guillermin, the head of secure connectivity and space surveillance at the Directorate-General for Defense Industry and Space. “Today, the civilian and military sectors are increasingly overlapping, and many capabilities that European armed forces depend on are commercial in nature. This forces us to define clear standards, protect infrastructure, and ensure availability in case of crisis.” The point is crucial: communication, observation, and navigation satellites are not just civilian tools but key operational components in conflict and emergency management scenarios. For this reason, the Commission is preparing a regulatory framework centered on three pillars, security, resilience, and sustainability, to create a true single market for space. “We must overcome the current fragmentation, which is an obstacle to competitiveness, efficiency, and safety,” Guillermin stressed.

Nicolas Guillermin, head of secure connectivity and space surveillance at DG DEFIS [June 11, 2025, Photo: Marco La Rocca]

Rodrigo da Costa, Director of the EU Agency for the Space Program, emphasized that Europe is not starting from scratch: “We have excellent technologies and world-leading systems: Galileo in navigation, Copernicus in Earth observation, and Iris2 in secure connectivity,” he recalled. However, “We cannot afford to break from the path we have taken so far. It is essential to continue to invest steadily, to identify clear priorities, and to strengthen the link between developed capabilities and operational needs, especially in the area of security.” The issue of public demand, or rather, the lack of it, emerged strongly during the conference. The industry complains that institutional support is too timid compared to the United States or China. However, Costa reiterated the centrality of the public role in generating leverage effects: “Our goal is to make public investment a catalyst for private investment. Cassini, our program for space start-ups, goes in this direction, but we need to do more: bridge the gap between research, prototyping, and concrete application.”

The problem is not just economic but also political. To turn space into a strategic defense asset, coherence is needed between national and European levels. “We can no longer limit ourselves to funding technological development: we need to get to operational use, and we need political decisions on what capabilities we want to build together,” said Olivier Lemaitre of ASD-Eurospace. The stakes are high: in case of a crisis, the absence of our own space infrastructure can translate into direct vulnerabilities. “We are dependent on non-European suppliers,” said Guillermin: “And this, in terms of decision-making autonomy and operational security, is a real risk.” Da Costa echoed: “Space is already a critical infrastructure today. Just as we protect the power grid or the digital network, we must protect our orbiting assets.”

The debate confirmed a consensus on the diagnosis: space will be an essential component of the future European defense architecture. However, turning this awareness into an effective strategy will require resources, coordination, and, most importantly, decisions.