• European space policy
• Space research & development
• Galileo
• GMES
• Key players

Security and defence

Space-based systems are making an increasingly major contribution to the security of Europe, and to the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) in particular. Europe faces constantly evolving security threats that are now more diverse, less visible and less predictable than in previous decades.

Europe needs to have access to the best affordable capabilities for autonomous political assessment, sound decision-making, prevention policies and the effective conduct of actions. The new threats are dynamic and global; the first line of prevention and defence is often abroad. Space assets provide a significant contribution to confronting these through global monitoring, communication and positioning possibilities.

Tackling ESDP-related challenges requires a mix of civilian and military solutions, both on the ground and in space. Space technologies are common to both civilian and military applications. The multiple-use capacity of both civilian and military programmes should be exploited to a greater extent. A number of existing European civilian programmes have multiple-use capacity, as will future planned systems such as Galileo and GMES.

Since the European economy and the security of its citizens are highly dependent on space-based capabilities, these must be protected.

Close cooperation is needed to ensure coherence between European Space Policy, the Common Foreign and Security Policy - in particular, the European Security and Defence Policy - and the European Defence Agency.