Good evening.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Director-General,
You ask: is space the next battleground?
I say: space already is a battleground. Not just the next one.
In Russias buildup to war, intelligence data from satellites showed us Russias troop movements. Everyone could see what they were doing. The first thing Russia did – one hour before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine – was carry out a cyber attack to disable commercial satellite connections. And Russia continues to launch satellites that could be capable of attacking other satellites. Satellites also help Ukraine to communicate, operate drones, locate, target, and destroy the enemy. They reveal evidence of Russian war crimes – like mass graves.
This war already is a space war, fought on Earth. The real question is: how will space change the battleground? I have had many inspiring meetings with companies and CEOs. I had the privilege to interact with many of you at the New Space Symposium yesterday. Its clear that space will become more important, not only as a theatre of war but also in the theatre of war. The space revolution will go hand in hand with the data revolution, the artificial intelligence revolution, and the connectivity revolution. What we are seeing is the “internet of things” – but adapted for war. A fully connected battlefield, connected through space. The challenge will be: not just to build a more powerful tank or a faster fighter jet, but a fully connected tank – a fully connected jet. All connected to each other, completely plugged into battlefield data, getting real-time information, strategic and tactical, both from space and the ground. Allowing a full overview of the battleground and instant decision-making.
This is what experts call a “system of systems”. Its clear that in this super-system, space will be vital. In the same way roads, ships, and rail are essential to transport troops and tanks – our dual-use space assets today are equally essential for our citizens and for our military. Galileo provides the best positioning, navigation, and timing services in the world, Copernicus the best earth observation, and Iris² will provide the best connectivity in the world. Space is already decisive on the battleground, and space itself could become a battleground. With the new dangers of anti-satellite weapons and the possibility of orbital weapons. With enormous potential for destruction, jamming of communication and navigation, and debris threatening satellites. What was seen as science fiction yesterday has become a reality we need to address today.
Europe is a global space power. Our space assets protect us. But we must not fall behind. To defend ourselves using space and to defend space itself, we need to see it as a strategic priority to stay at the forefront of both civilian and military use of space. The 21st century will be the century of space. Europeans have a long tradition of exploration. We need to be a leading frontier nation again, exploring new spaces in the limitless space. We will continue to build and improve our space flagships: Galileo, Copernicus, Iris². We must guarantee autonomous access to space. The inaugural launch of Ariane 6 and return of Vega C are important steps. But we need to accelerate our work on launchers and strengthen competition in launching to reinforce the competitiveness of our capabilities in space transportation. As a former Prime Minister, I can say that smart regulation and competitiveness go hand in hand.
We will work with the European Space Agency, Member States, and industry to develop a long-term vision on European launchers, ensuring our sovereignty in space. We need investment: national investment, private investment, investment through the European Union, and the European Space Agency. Above all: investments for maximum effect, by all working together. We must mobilize space for defense. That means protecting official communications now through the pooling and sharing services of the existing Governmental Satellite Communication systems and by activating Galileos Public Regulated Service later this year. We must promote space-based intelligence and surveillance. President Niinisto in his strategic report on EU preparedness stressed the need for intelligence, also from space. We need more than eyes in space; we need spies in space.
We need a state-of-the-art Earth Observation system for a permanent flow of intelligence data. Europe has unique world-class expertise in multiple Earth observation technologies, building on long-standing European cooperation. We need a missile Early Warning system based in space to protect ourselves on Earth. Were developing autonomous space situational awareness to protect our satellites in space. I want to set up a dialogue with Member States and space commands to explore options for European space domain awareness to monitor threats, including military threats. All these defensive efforts must unite into a single European Space Shield as one of the most important Defence Projects of Common European Interest. Above all, we need you. All of you here today. I am glad you are all here. I know with you we can keep Europe safe. Because there can be no defense without space. And there is no space without industry. I look forward to our discussion.