Speaking at the recent Berlin Space Congress, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned: “Our Achilles' heel lies in space.” His statement pointed to an uncomfortable truth—modern societies are dependent on space, yet poorly protected against attacks beyond Earth's atmosphere. In the 21st century, almost every aspect of our lives, from smartphones to online banking to energy grids, depends on space systems. But this silent infrastructure is vulnerable to sabotage, either by manipulation or destruction. Amid increasing nonkinetic conflict and an escalating race for space supremacy, this vulnerability has become a strategic risk for security, the economy, and democracy.
A Turning Point for Germany's Military Space Ambitions
Pistorius has announced plans to spend €35 billion by 2030 to build Germany's defence space capabilities, equivalent to the entire budget of the civil-focused European Space Agency (ESA). The new German funds will focus on sovereign military capability, aiming for security of supply and fielding solutions at greater pace than the multinational ESA or EU initiatives like IRIS2—the European Union's €10.6 billion response to Elon Musk's Starlink.
The ultimate goal is to improve Germany's defence and technological independence, as great-power rivalries have long since moved into the space domain. Dependence on allies or commercial providers, including the United States' Starlink, can be risky if critical services prove unavailable during crises. In space especially, where U.S. investments—and hostile Russian and Chinese orbital manoeuvres—are shifting the strategic balance, self-reliance means protection from coercion or attack, and assured control over space infrastructure. As Pistorius emphasised: “We can't afford to ignore this any longer.”
Almost every aspect of our lives, from smartphones to online banking to energy grids, depends on space systems. But this silent infrastructure is vulnerable to sabotage, either by manipulation or destruction.
The Increasing Role of Space in Modern Warfare
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war has evolved into a technological arms race, including in space. Satellite communications, GPS signals, and satellite imaging feeds have all helped Ukraine fend off Russian attacks. But these systems also become targets for hybrid assaults, such as hacking, jamming, spoofing, or hostile, close-proximity manoeuvres from other satellites on orbit.
The invasion in fact began in orbit, with Russia launching cyberattacks against the Viasat satellite network used by the Ukrainian government as Russian forces crossed the border. This attack on Viasat had cascading impacts across Europe, including disabling 5,800 German wind turbines. Since then, Russia's Luch Olymp satellites have repeatedly shadowed commercial Intelsat satellites used by Germany, as well as threatening other European and NATO allies.
Germany's space strategy has understandably begun to prioritise hardening satellites against hacking and jamming, expanding orbital surveillance systems, and investing in “guardian satellites” to protect particularly vulnerable assets. A military satellite operations centre is set to be established to coordinate defensive responses to attacks.
Pistorius has also made clear the need for offensive space capabilities as a deterrent, wading into sensitive territory in a country historically and doctrinally bound to a defensive posture. Germany currently maintains a space doctrine that uses satellites only as support tools for military operations. And yet over the summer the German Aerospace Center (DLR) quietly issued a notice to industry signalling interest in a possible urgent procurement of an inspector satellite and a jamming satellite capable of electromagnetically disrupting hostile systems on orbit as part of 'active defence'.
Bolstering the Competitiveness of German and European Industry
Aside from direct military applications, the plan is also to use space as a driver of economic innovation. Having now the world's fourth-largest defence budget, on paper Germany is well-positioned financially and technologically. But it is playing catch-up after decades of underinvestment in its defence forces and at a time of growing competition and rapid change for Europe's space industry.
Nevertheless, there are some promising signs in the private sector. The Federation of German Industries' (BDI) New Space initiative supports companies in a wider effort to reduce Europe's technological dependence on the United States and China. The BDI has recognised that spaceflight could be a motor for new AI-driven products and multi-billion-euro markets, while also promoting strategic independence in space launch technology—a field where Europe has lost ground to U.S. commercial firms like SpaceX or Blue Origin.
Aside from direct military applications, the plan is also to use space as a driver of economic innovation.
Pursuing Leadership at a Time of Mounting Threats
With this new infusion of funding, Germany has the opportunity to position itself as Europe's military space leader, while helping the continent play a bigger role in shaping space security and governance. In the future, enhanced German space power could provide both deterrence and active protection, helping to secure European autonomy in an increasingly congested, contested, and competitive space domain. At the same time, the emphasis on rapidly fielding sovereign solutions raises questions about collaboration with NATO allies such as the United States, as well as Germany's long-term commitment to multinational programmes like IRIS2. Satellites are the invisible backbone of modern society. They underpin global trade, financial markets, logistics, communication, and navigation. As Pistorius made clear: “When satellites fall silent, nations go blind—and Germany intends to keep its vision.”
