ESPI’s new report “Rising Together? The (Re)Convergence of Europe’s Space and Defence Industries” analyses the connection between European security and defence policy, underlining the increasing engagement of the European space sector in security and defence activities as well as parallel shift of interest by defence companies towards the space sector.
The development and sustainment of a strong industry is a prerequisite for the achievement of Europe’s security and defence policy and objectives. While European space companies are facing current difficulties, the security and defence market is perceived as a promising avenue to withstand this difficult context and open perspectives for future growth.
This report analyses the connection between European security and defence policy, as well as:
- The increasing engagement of the European space sector in security and defence activities; and
- A parallel shift of interest by defence companies towards the space sector.
This report analyses both the increasing demand for security and defence capabilities by space companies as well as an increasing appetite of the defence industry to venture into the space sector through new own programmes, acquisitions and investment.
As secure satellite communications take centre stage in space policy discussions, Europe must also remain committed to advancing the full range of capabilities that make up our space-based security and defence apparatus.
To understand how the European space industry supports the security and defence objectives of the continent, the Report looked at agreements signed by European space and defence companies to carry out activities in this domain (219 agreements signed between April 2019 and November 2024).
The growth starts deviating from a linear growth path in late 2021 and early 2022, suggesting a change of circumstances mirrored by an increase in both the number and pace at which agreements have been signed. In addition, while outside the perimeter of the analysis, a significant number of new agreements have been identified in December 2024 and Q1 2025.
In an increasingly uncertain geopolitical climate, Europe must become a proactive customer of domestic commercial space solutions to propel its defence ambitions.
Building on the analysis investigating how policy and industrial activity are interlinked, the report concludes with open questions for Europe to address in a deteriorating security environment
