France Commits €4.2 Billion to Strengthen Military Space Capabilities
France is intensifying its military focus in orbit, pledging €4.2 billion to strengthen surveillance, resilience, and strategic independence in space amid rising geopolitical tensions and Russian orbital activity.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a major €4.2 billion investment to enhance France’s military activities in space, calling the domain “the battlefield of tomorrow.” Speaking in Toulouse on November 12 — home to France’s new space military command — Macron described space as an increasingly contested environment, citing Russia as a key aggressor.
“The war of today is already being fought in space, and the war of tomorrow will begin in space,” Macron stated. He accused Moscow of engaging in orbital espionage, GPS jamming, and cyberattacks against European space infrastructure since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Macron also condemned Russia’s alleged plans to deploy nuclear weapons in orbit, warning of catastrophic global consequences.
The newly announced funding, to be allocated through 2030, will focus on developing reusable and low-cost launch systems, boosting surveillance with the Aurore radar network, and improving early-warning capabilities in cooperation with Germany. Macron emphasized that Europe must achieve strategic independence in space, reducing reliance on U.S. and private operators such as SpaceX and Blue Origin.
“Depending on a major third-party power or any space magnate is out of the question,” Macron said. “We must be ready — dominance in space will determine success in all future operations on land, at sea, and in the air.”
