Europe is losing out in the space race,warned the Lithuanian EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, at the Space Night of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) on Friday evening at the Munich Security Conference. China, for example, is currently developing earth observation systems that are far more productive than European systems.
However, the Russian war of aggression shows that space capabilities are "crucial" in modern wars. Kubilius wants to see more funding for space in the negotiations on the next long-term EU budget (2028-34) in the summer of 2025. "This is Europe's hour," he said, also with a view to the difficult relations with the USA under the new US administration.
The head of the European Space Agency ESA, Josef Aschbacher, expressed similar sentiments. He emphasized that his organization could also be increasingly active in the field of defense in the future if the member states issue the corresponding orders. Work is already underway on programs that can also be used in the field of defense, such as the Copernicus earth observation program. "We can also deliver in the area of security and defense," said the head of the scientific organization, which has dedicated itself to work for "peaceful purposes". Currently, only around 15 percent of European defense spending is invested in space travel, compared to around 65 percent in the USA.
The German industry is also ringing the alarm bells in view of the signals from Washington. "We are experiencing the rough winds of increased international competition at the MSC," said Marie-Christine von Hahn, Chief Lobbyist of the German Aerospace Industry (BDLI), to Table.Briefings. The European aerospace industry has recently generated lower sales. While the USA achieved 144 and China 68 rocket launches in 2024, Europe only achieved three. " Now it's about Germany's self-assertion, together in Europe," urged von Hahn. wp
