The EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has put forward an initiative to develop a “European Space Shield” aimed at strengthening joint defense in outer space. He announced this proposal at the 17th European Space Conference, as reported by Politico.
Kubilius emphasized the importance of initiating discussions with EU member states and space command structures to assess capabilities for monitoring threats, including military risks. According to him, these efforts should form the foundation for creating a space shield that consolidates Europe’s efforts to ensure security in space.
The Commissioner highlighted the growing global competition for leadership in the space domain, referencing the cooperation between Russia and China, including their project to build a nuclear-powered lunar station.
He also warned against the excessive influence of private entrepreneurs, such as Elon Musk, on the space industry. Kubilius argued that despite the achievements of private companies, the EU faces “structural challenges” that need to be addressed to avoid stagnation.
Kubilius called on EU countries to provide stronger support for European companies, focusing on the procurement of European technologies.
