Brussels, 10 March 2023
Today, the Commission and the High Representative present for the first time a Joint Communication on a European Space Strategy for Security and Defence. In the current geopolitical context of increasing power competition and intensification of threats, the EU is taking action to protect its space assets, defend its interests, deter hostile activities in space and strengthen its strategic posture and autonomy.
The Strategy outlines the counterspace capabilities and main threats in space that put at risk space systems and their ground infrastructure, building on a common definition of the space domain. The Strategy proposes actions to strengthen the resilience and protection of space systems and services in the EU. It also outlines concrete measures to mobilise relevant EU tools to respond to space threats, including to: expand the existing space threat response mechanism, better detect and identify space objects, characterise inappropriate behaviours in orbit and protect EU assets. The Strategy also proposes to maximise the use of space for security and defence purposes.
The Strategy is a direct implementation of the EU Strategic Compass adopted less than a year ago and which defined space, together with cyber and maritime, as contested strategic domains, the security of which must be ensured.
More information is available in the press release.
Source – EU Commission