While traditional space companies are increasingly called on to boost European security and defence, pure defence companies are also increasingly (re)venturing into the space domain. This increasing appetite of the defence industry to embed space manifests through new own programmes, acquisitions, and investment.
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.
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.
