EU explores creation of new satellite intelligence to cut reliance on US - FT
Photo: The network will be used to detect movement and coordinate military operations (Getty Images)
Brussels is exploring the possibility of creating a new satellite network to gather military intelligence. This comes amid growing doubts about the US's commitment to European defense, informs the Financial Times.
The system would aim to partially replace US capabilities after US President Donald Trump paused intelligence-sharing with Ukraine earlier this month, highlighting Europe's dependence on the US.
“Given the changes in the geopolitical situation, the European Commission is considering expanding its satellite capacities to improve geospatial intelligence support for security,” Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defense and Space, commented to FT.
The new satellite network will be used to detect threats, such as troop movements, and coordinate military operations. Discussions have just begun, but the Lithuanian official stated that the bloc needs the network to complement other programs used for navigation and Earth observation.
The system will need to provide updated information more frequently than the low-orbit Copernicus, which tracks climate change and natural disasters but only generates images every 24 hours.
Acknowledging that the project would be costly and time-consuming to build, Kubilius said he would ask EU member states if they wanted a "temporary commercial approach."
"We are looking to create a specific system as an earth observation governmental service. It would have high technology and high data availability," he said.
The Commissioner added that the system would operate on a low Earth orbit. Such networks require dozens of satellites. Kubilius also mentioned that the best commercial systems could track targets and military deployments with updates every 30 minutes.
The Commission is also acquiring IRIS², its own multi-orbit broadband network on low Earth orbit. This year, it will complete the Govsatcom program, connecting EU member states' systems.
Notably, today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Europe will support strengthening Ukraine and its armed forces, but the bloc will also reinforce its own defense efforts.
