EU Council endorses new Space Strategy for Enhanced Security and Defence

EU Council endorses new Space Strategy for Enhanced Security and Defence
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 21, 2023

In a landmark decision, the Council of the European Union has approved conclusions on the pioneering EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. This strategy underscores the EU's commitment to fortifying its stance as a global space power amidst rising security challenges in the space domain.

The Council, an influential body comprising national ministers from each EU country, emphasized the strategic importance of space, particularly in the context of increasing threats. This move aligns with the EU's long-established dedication to international law and values framed within the United Nations system.

One of the key components of this strategy is to amplify the EU's understanding of space threats. This enhancement will be achieved through annual classified analyses and bolstering military and civilian intelligence services focused on space security. Such initiatives are crucial in a landscape where space-related services and data are increasingly integral to economies, citizens, and public policies, including security and defence.

Recognizing the vulnerability of space systems, the strategy also aims to boost their resilience and protection. This goal is further supported by the European Commission's intention to propose a dedicated EU space law, reflecting the growing reliance on space for vital functions in society.

In response to potential space threats, the Council has proposed the development of space domain awareness information and a dedicated toolbox for EU joint responses. This approach is complemented by plans to enhance the role of space in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations. This will involve strengthening the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) and developing space services for governmental use at the EU level.

The strategy is not just about defensive measures. It also seeks to harness space's potential for the EU's broader political agenda, including supporting digital and green transitions and enhancing the EU's resilience. The recent development of a pilot project on a new EU Earth observation governmental service by the Commission is a testament to this forward-thinking approach.

In the spirit of international cooperation, the Council reaffirmed the EU's commitment to addressing these challenges through global partnerships and potentially new space security dialogues. This collaborative stance highlights the EU's role as a responsible player on the international stage, seeking to establish norms and principles for responsible behaviours in space.

The Council's approval of this strategy follows the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, adopted on March 21, 2022. The Strategic Compass had identified space as a strategic domain and called for the development of an EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. This new strategy is a direct response to that call.

The path ahead involves the close monitoring of this strategy's implementation by the High Representative and the Commission. The Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council, presented on March 10, 2023, by the Commission and High Representative, has set the stage for this new era of EU space strategy, one that balances security needs with the principles of cooperation and responsible conduct in the increasingly crowded and contested domain of space.

This strategic statement of intent highlights the EU's recognition of space not just as a scientific and commercial frontier but as a critical domain for security and defence, reflecting the changing geopolitical landscape where space capabilities are integral to national and international security frameworks.

Research Report:Council conclusions on the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence