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The EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence: Towards Strategic Autonomy?

Satellite navigation, communications and imagery are critical to military doctrine. They provide the capability and functionalities required to operate increasingly complex military assets with unprecedented precision. On account of their growing importance, there is a need for EU member states to develop their own satellite infrastructure, and to ensure control over and superiority in the space landscape in which satellites operate in order to protect their security. This paper analyses the EU Space Strategy, which is the first of its kind, identifying its strengths and areas where there is room for improvement, as well as the challenges facing the project to establish a common European space defence policy, in terms of both institutional and industrial collaboration.

Table of contents

I. Introduction

II. The Importance of a Space Defence Policy

III. Europe In Space: EU and Member State Space Assets

IV. Objectives of the EU Space Strategy

V. Recommendations

VI. Conclusions

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)/EDITORS

Dr Clara Portela is currently Professor of Political Science at the University of Valencia.
Dr Raúl González Muñoz <p>Dr Raúl González Muñoz has a PhD in Aerospace Manufacturing from Cranfield University, conducted in close collaboration with Airbus Operations UK. After working for a year in Airbus Toulouse, he studied at Sciences Po University in Paris and joined the Space Task Force at the European External Action Service in Brussels. Currently, he is leading a research project in Capgemini Engineering and is a Board Member of the Spanish Association for Aeronautical and Space Law (AEDAE).</p>