The EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, announced on Tuesday 1 September, following a discussion between European defence ministers in Wicklow (Ireland), that, together with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, she would present a joint communication “by the end of the year” “containing concrete proposals” on the role of space in defence. This would be the ‘European Space Shield’, initially planned for the first half of 2026.
“From navigation to communications, including missile detection and intelligence, defence relies on space systems,” she explained. While the EU “has had significant space capabilities for decades”, in order for Europe to remain a global space player, according to Ms Kallas, “close collaboration is needed between the EU, the Member States, civil and military actors and the private sector”.
“It is clear that, in recent years, the space domain has moved from a niche technological sector to an absolutely essential element of security, defence, economic resilience and prosperity,” added the Irish Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)