Berlin: Germany unveiled the country's first national space security strategy on Wednesday, with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius vowing to expand military and civilian capabilities in orbit. The strategy comes weeks after Pistorius announced plans for the Armed Forces to spend 35 billion euros ($41 billion) by 2030 on space defences, citing growing threats posed by Russia and potentially China.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Pistorius emphasized the need for Germany to develop and possess the capacity for deterrence and defence. He noted that both Russia and China are heavily involved in space, positioning themselves to influence other satellites from Europe and the United States. Despite acknowledging that Germany alone cannot keep pace with Russia and China, Pistorius expressed confidence that European NATO countries can collaborate to maintain their capability for action and defence.
The German initiative is part of broader European efforts to achieve greater independence in space. The multinational European Space Agency has plans to launch an internet satellite constellation, IRIS2, by 2030. In addition, three major European aerospace firms announced plans in October to merge their satellite options, aiming to create a credible European rival to US billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket company and Starlink internet system.
Satellite systems are pivotal for modern communications, internet service, GPS systems, and weather forecasting, all of which have significant implications for military operations and civilian life. Pistorius highlighted the vulnerability of these systems, citing a cyberattack against satellites at the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which resulted in the failure of several hundred wind turbines on German soil. He stressed the importance of protecting against such threats, stating that an effective strike in space could paralyze entire countries.
Pistorius reassured that Germany would not pursue an offensive strategy in space, but emphasized the necessity of having the ability to launch counterstrikes against opponents. He declared that Germany will neither attack nor allow the attack of another nation's satellite, maintaining a commitment to peaceful, sustainable, and rules-based use of space to prevent an arms race.
Germany's space security strategy also includes cooperative European efforts, such as joint launch capabilities, developing reusable rockets, and participating in international space programmes. Dorothee Baer, the minister for space and research, highlighted that the strategy encompasses programmes on asteroid defence and initiatives to tackle the significant issue of space debris.