Briefing Document: European Space and Defense Strategies
Source Documents:
EU - 2023 - Space Strategy for Security and Defence - Joint Communication EN.pdf
France - 2018 - Revue stratégique de Cyberdéfense.pdf
France - 2019 - IA au Service de la la Defense.pdf
France - 2019 - Strategie Spatiale de Defense.pdf
France - 2021 - Actualisation stratégique.pdf
Germany – 2023 - The German Federal Government Space Strategy.pdf
Date: 2023-10-27
Key Themes:
Space as a Contested Domain: All documents emphasize the increasing strategic importance of space and the escalating competition within it. France's 2019 Space Defense Strategy states: "Space is an essential environment for the armed forces, access to which is becoming increasingly contested." This contest involves both state and non-state actors, with the rise of anti-satellite technologies posing a significant threat.
Strategic Autonomy in Space: Both France and the EU stress the need for strategic autonomy in the space domain. This involves developing independent capabilities in areas such as satellite observation, communications, and space situational awareness (SSA). The EU document emphasizes the role of member states in providing "the necessary SDA services to the EU to ensure its strategic autonomy in the space domain."
Technological Advancement and Innovation: The documents highlight the rapid pace of technological advancement in space, particularly with the rise of New Space and technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). France's 2019 AI report emphasizes the need to "seize the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence" for defense purposes. This includes applications in areas such as decision support, collaborative combat, cybersecurity, and robotics.
International Cooperation: While emphasizing autonomy, the documents also acknowledge the importance of international cooperation in space. The EU document emphasizes collaboration between member states, while France stresses partnerships with European nations, particularly Germany, for developing SSA capabilities.
Defense and Protection in Space: There's a clear shift from solely utilizing space for intelligence and support to actively defending assets in orbit. France is particularly forward-leaning, stating its intention to "acquire a capacity for defense in space" and reserving the right to respond to hostile acts.
Workforce Development: Recognizing the growing importance of the space sector, France emphasizes the need for skilled personnel. The creation of a dedicated “space academy” aims to develop and train experts in various space-related disciplines.
Important Ideas and Facts:
France: Plans to establish a dedicated “Space Command” within its Air Force, which will be renamed the “Air and Space Force,” signifying the increasing importance of space.
Aims to develop both active and passive defense capabilities for protecting its space assets.
Emphasizes the importance of dual-use technologies and partnerships with commercial space companies.
Will invest significantly in SSA capabilities, including ground-based and space-based sensors.
Recognizes the need to adapt legal frameworks to better address the evolving nature of space operations, particularly in relation to military activities.
European Union: Encourages member states with advanced space capabilities to share resources and expertise to achieve collective security and autonomy in space.
Highlights the importance of attributing hostile acts in space, which is seen as a "highly political decision."
Aims to develop a comprehensive approach to space security, including preventive, protective, and deterrent measures.
Quotes from Sources:
France 2019 Space Defense Strategy: "The cornerstone of this space defense strategy is the protection and defense of our capabilities. This requires improving our knowledge of the space environment (SSA), particularly to detect and attribute, in all orbits of interest, unfriendly or even hostile acts, and by developing our ability to defend ourselves against them."
"While not calling into question the peaceful and responsible use of outer space, this ambition will be pursued within the existing international legal framework, and in particular that of self-defense recognized by the Charter of the United Nations."
EU 2023 Space Strategy: "Attributing a space threat to a third country and deciding on a possible response is a highly political decision."
"Member States that own and develop the relevant capabilities should provide the necessary SDA services to the EU to ensure its strategic autonomy in the space domain."
Conclusion:
European nations are adapting to the reality of space as an increasingly contested operational domain. Strategic autonomy, technological advancement, and international cooperation are seen as crucial for safeguarding interests and ensuring security in space. While acknowledging the peaceful nature of space exploration, there's a clear trend towards developing defensive and deterrent capabilities to counter potential threats.
