Germany has officially announced its new military space policy, outlining ambitious plans supported by tens of billions of euros in increased spending over the coming years. On November 19th, the German defense ministry published its Space Safety and Security Strategy, detailing the government's evolving perspective on national security in space and its intentions to invest in novel defensive and potentially offensive space capabilities.
The report's foreword, co-authored by Boris Pistorius, the German defense minister, and Johann Wadephul, the country's foreign affairs minister, states: "The aim of this strategy is to ensure and secure Germany’s long-term ability to act in space – in both the civilian and military sectors – in times of peace, crises and a state of defence." They further emphasized that “This Space Safety and Security Strategy forms an important part of Germany’s efforts to safeguard its interests and consolidate its position as a responsible actor in space.”
This strategy's release follows Pistorius's recent announcement of a 35 billion euro ($41 billion) investment in military space programs over the next five years, representing a significant increase. While the announcement lacked specifics on fund allocation, the strategy document highlights key priorities. It identifies three “strategic action areas”: identifying risks and threats and response options, promoting international cooperation and a sustainable order in space, and bolstering defense capabilities for deterrence and resilience. These areas encompass 65 tasks related to policy and technology development, without specifying timelines or funding requirements. However, the report offers insights into potential funding priorities.
For instance, the report advocates for increased European support for both small and large launch vehicles. It states that "In the medium term, ESA should strive to develop European launch systems capable of high rates in all payload classes to provide all users with flexible access to space for highly agile mission profiles.” The report also promotes development of the European Launcher Challenge to ensure Europe's independent access even to cislunar space.
Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg, two German companies, are among the five "preselected challengers" in the European Launch Challenge, awaiting funding approval from ESA member states at the upcoming ministerial conference. The German military might contribute funding to support these companies within the program.
The report also emphasizes advanced technologies like spaceplanes, highlighting their advantages: “They can take off from and land on conventional airfields, are reusable, produce virtually no space debris, enable faster operations than classical vehicles and cause less environmental pollution during the launch phase,” it states. The report even includes an illustration of a spaceplane concept in German military livery.
Other technologies of interest include small satellites for responsive space missions and enhanced space situational awareness. "We are working towards military use of heavy launchers and microlaunchers, reusable spaceplanes, new propulsion technologies, on-orbit logistics, cislunar space and multifunctional large satellite constellations," the report details.
While the focus is on defending German and allied interests, the strategy suggests potential counterspace activities: “We are strengthening the Bundeswehr’s ability to act in space and enabling it to limit the use of space by adversaries.”
This report emerges as Germany and other European nations are poised to increase military space spending, alongside plans for a significant boost in the European Commission's defense and space budget in the next seven-year budget cycle starting in 2028.
During a panel at Space Tech Expo Europe Nov. 19, Wolfgang Duerr, vice president and head of global business for institutional space at Airbus Defence and Space, highlighted the need for “a clear strategy in Europe and also on the national side, also backed with budget lines we need to invest in the long term."
Stewart Hall, commercial director at Telespazio Germany, pointed out a recent shift in perspective: “Perhaps until about two years ago, this was not a topic that people were prepared to talk about. It’s quite difficult to talk about effectively weaponizing space as the same time as one is positioning to support the continued peaceful uses of space.”
Marco Fuchs, chief executive of OHB, noted the traditionally civilian focus of the European space industry: “The space industry in Europe is traditionally civilian. You see a tradition of agency business, commercial business, scientific. This will obviously in the next couple of years change. You will see more defense, and it will be a little bit like we are used to seeing when we go conferences and space shows in the U.S.: much more defense and a much stronger military presence. This will also be the future here.”