There’s momentum in Europe toward space defence. But are European space systems advanced enough to counter cyber threats?
In the last few weeks, months, and even years, wars have dominated headlines. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Israel–Hamas conflict, and now the escalation of the United States–Israel war with Iran have all contributed to bringing defence and security back into the political debate.
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This tense environment has deeply influenced discussions in the European Union, with countries increasing defence spending and the European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen proposing, in March 2025, the ReArm Europe/Readiness plan to support member states’ defence investments.
But is the European defence system ready to counter space threats?
To answer this and more of your questions, in this Q&A episode, Euronews Tech Talks spoke with Giulia Pavesi, lead of security and defence at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), and Jean‑Luc Trullemans, head of the European Space Security and Education Centre at the European Space Agency (ESA).
What is the state of Europe’s space defence system?
“Europe has shifted towards treating space as a core operational domain, rather than merely a supporting asset, increasingly interlinking space, defence and industry,” Pavesi told Euronews Next.
According to Pavesi, recent regional and international crises have pushed Europe to increase its space and defence planning. This decision, she explained, was also motivated by the desire to gain more autonomy from its international allies, such as the United States.
This shift, Pavesi said, is not only political, but also industrial. The increase in defence expenditures, she added, should be seen as an opportunity to ‘reimagine how to transform Europe’s space industry’.
In this space race, European countries are developing their national capabilities while also working with their neighbours to strengthen Europe’s collective competencies, she said.
“Europe is gravitating toward what could really be called a federated model for space defence capabilities,” Pavesi added.
One example of this federated model is the European secure satellite communication programme GOVSATCOM, in which countries pool and share satellite capacity with other European states.
Can European space defence systems counter threats?
Despite Europe’s increased interest and investment in space defence infrastructure, European space systems still face several challenges.
“We’re facing a space environment that is increasingly contested, congested and competitive,” Trullemans said..
Trullemans identified four main vulnerabilities of European space systems: growing dependence on space services for terrestrial activities, cyber threats, technological dependencies on external actors, and the congested orbit crowded with objects and space debris.
Despite these risks, Trullemans said he did not believe that ESA should decrease international scientific cooperation.
“The issue is not to reduce openness, but it’s to better manage the associated risk,” he said, highlighting, for instance, the importance of sharing data, but also controlling systems very thoroughly.
Closing partnerships with industry in the name of reducing cyber risks is also not an option for Trullemans. “The growing involvement of European commercial actors, from my point of view, is very positive, “ he said.
This may pose new challenges which can be addressed by developing European cloud and data processing capabilities and harmonising cybersecurity standards across agencies, institutions, and industry, according to Trullemans.
