Germany is working on the creation of a European Space Component Command and a special training academy. Berlin's initiative has also been supported by Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The project aims to reduce Europe's dependence on the United States in this area.
Germany is working on the creation of a European Space Component Command and a special training academy. Berlin's initiative has also been supported by Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The project aims to reduce Europe's dependence on the United States in this area.
This was stated by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at a press conference in Berlin, Cybernews reports .
Pistorius invited partner countries — Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg — to directly participate in shaping this initiative, rather than simply adopting a ready-made project.
The announcement came as part of a €35 billion German military space investment package that includes the creation of constellations of encrypted low-orbit satellites and the deployment of military launch capabilities.
In addition, the investment will cover the expansion of the Space Command within the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces. Austrian Defense Minister Claudia Tanner said that next year the country plans to launch three operational military satellites and one test object into orbit.
Among the planned projects is LEO2VLEO, a joint Austrian-Dutch initiative covering imaging (surface imaging) and navigation technologies in very low Earth orbit.
Tanner noted that the satellites, developed in collaboration with Austrian startups, will be available for use by partners. She also stressed the need to ensure independence of communications during crisis situations.
Swiss Federal Council Member Martin Pfister noted that the space sector is precisely the sector where Europe is most dependent on non-European technology suppliers.
"No country can solve this alone," he emphasized.
