Europe’s largest economies are accelerating their race to secure a stronger foothold in space, unveiling new strategies that blend scientific ambitions with rapidly expanding defence priorities.
Amid rising GPS jamming, emerging anti-satellite weapons, and heavy reliance on foreign launchers, countries across the continent are reshaping how they safeguard orbital assets.
Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden and the Netherlands have all outlined major investments to modernise national capabilities and strengthen resilience in an increasingly contested domain. Their plans share a common message: Europe can no longer take secure access to space for granted.
Germany pivots sharply to security with first national space plan
Germany released its first-ever national space strategy in November, marking a historic shift toward treating space as a core security domain.
The plan includes an estimated €35 billion in new investments “in the coming years,” largely aimed at protecting satellite networks and countering threats such as GPS disruptions caused by Russia in the Baltic region.
German officials said the strategy will expand satellite constellations, strengthen international cooperation and ensure the country is “more capable of action” in orbit.
France launches defence-heavy strategy with €10 billion investment
France has unveiled one of Europe’s most defence-oriented space strategies, combining scientific research with a significant expansion of military capabilities. President Emmanuel Macron announced an additional €4.2 billion in defence spending, bringing total space investment to over €10 billion by 2030.
The plan calls for modernising the French Guiana spaceport, advancing Earth-science research and strengthening early warning, intelligence and communication systems. France is also exploring defensive systems such as patrol satellites — including Orbit Guard — to monitor and protect national assets in space.
Italy builds multi-domain defence and surveillance capabilities
Italy is following suit with a rapidly growing defence programme backed by new funding in its 2025 budget. The government allocated €109 million to develop a “multi-domain” space defence plan, along with €131 million for space surveillance to track debris and secure national satellites.
Italy is also moving forward with its Sicral 3 satellite for secure military communication and developing the Iride Earth observation constellation. Cooperation with Germany and France on launchers such as Ariane 6 and Vega-C remains central to Rome’s long-term strategy.
UK pushes launch capability and in-orbit servicing
The United Kingdom’s new space strategy, released in September, emphasises strengthening the economy, boosting security and driving scientific discovery.
A major focus is developing small-launch capabilities, eco-friendly spaceports and technologies that allow satellites to be repaired, upgraded or assembled while in orbit.
The UK Space Agency says these efforts will support innovation, attract new talent and deepen global partnerships as space becomes more strategically vital.
Sweden expands Arctic launch capabilities and reconnaissance
Sweden’s first defence and security space strategy, introduced in 2024, focuses on autonomy and resilience, acknowledging the country’s strategic advantage near the Arctic.
The government allocated SEK 1 billion (€914 million) for reconnaissance and surveillance, while enhancing collaboration between agencies and private companies.
The Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden is being prepared for orbital launches, with Firefly Aerospace set to begin operations next year.
Netherlands targets satellite networks and AI-driven monitoring
The Netherlands has integrated space squarely into its national defence planning.
By 2027, the Dutch military expects to have a satellite network providing timely and reliable information. By 2030, it aims to deploy advanced AI algorithms to track objects in orbit, analyse Earth-observation data and coordinate secure communications.
The Defence Space Agenda, launched in 2022, outlines six key capabilities including early warning systems, satellite navigation and space weather monitoring.
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