EU Considers Military Satellite Network to Boost Defense Autonomy

The European Commission is considering the establishment of a new military satellite network to enhance geospatial intelligence capabilities amid growing concerns regarding US commitment to European defense, particularly following President Trump's recent pause in intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius emphasized the need for this initiative to provide more timely updates than the existing Copernicus system, which updates every 24 hours. The proposed network aims to track military movements and coordinate operations, potentially providing updates every 30 minutes through advanced commercial technology. This initiative is part of a broader EU defense strategy, which includes the IRIS² broadband satellite network and enhancing national defense systems through the Govsatcom program. Kubilius indicated that discussions are in early stages, and a