EU’s defence future lies in space, urges Sky and Space Intergroup

A key European Parliament group focused on topics affecting the aviation and space manufacturing sectors in Europe – the Sky and Space Intergroup –  kicked off its renewed mandate this week with a high-level debate organised by ASD-Eurospace. The gathering brought together Members of the European Parliament, representatives from the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European Commission, and industry leaders to discuss the critical role of space in bolstering Europe’s security and strategic autonomy. 

Hosted by MEP Christophe Grudler, the event highlighted consensus on the urgent need to strengthen Europe’s defence-related space capabilities. “Space is vital for Europe’s defence”,  Christophe Grudler said, pointing to applications such as space surveillance, secure telecommunications, and positioning systems as indispensable tools for military and security. 

Panelists including Catherine Kavvada (European Commission), Nicolas Stassin (EDA), Olivier Lemaitre (ASD-Eurospace), Christophe Debaert (Thales Alenia Space), and Joost Elstak (ICEYE) contributed insights, stressing collaboration between institutions and industry.

The discussion emphasised the unique dynamics of Europe’s space-defence sector, where institutional demand – especially for dual-use satellites – drives the market, requiring tailored EU policies. Speakers stressed the need to harmonise defence space requirements across the EU, arguing that consolidating demand at the European level would provide industry with clearer visibility and stability, countering the current fragmentation of national priorities.

While Europe’s existing space-based military capabilities were acknowledged as robust, participants highlighted critical gaps, such as high-revisit government imagery, which must be resolved to achieve full strategic autonomy in military operations. 

Another focal point was the call for more agile and innovation-friendly EU funding mechanisms, with simplified processes to help companies deliver cutting-edge solutions efficiently. 

Panelists also advocated for prioritising European procurement of defence space systems, emphasising that sourcing from EU-based designers and manufacturers not only safeguards jobs but also ensures technological sovereignty by leveraging Europe’s existing talent and industrial excellence. 

In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Christophe Grudler welcomed the European Commission’s push to secure reliable satellite connectivity for Ukraine through commercial providers, and noted that the upcoming launch of GovSatCom services – expected within two months – was a tangible step in reinforcing support.

Christophe Grudler closed by thanking participants, reaffirming that “Europe has the tools to lead in defence space systems – but we must act decisively, together.”