The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has initiated a significant new program called the “Space Pact,” aimed at addressing the evolving needs of the armed forces within the burgeoning space sector. This initiative is designed to enhance coordination between the French Ministry of Armed Forces and various entities within the defense space industry, involving over 50 participating companies.
With a strong emphasis on innovation, the Space Pact focuses on several key areas, including strategic and technological planning, capability development, and export cooperation. Its overarching goal is to align industrial capabilities with military requirements, ensuring efficient equipment production facilitated by agile acquisition processes. The pact also aims to maintain a core group of companies dedicated to ensuring national sovereignty and resilience in the defense sector.
The DGA will spearhead this initiative, collaborating closely with the French Aerospace Industries Association and the New Space France Alliance. In addition to the armed forces, this project engages several other governmental bodies, such as the French Space Agency and the French Aerospace Lab, showcasing a comprehensive approach to national defense in space.
A vital component of the Space Pact is the collaboration with the French Air and Space Force’s Space Trust Circle, which is coordinated by the Space Command. This partnership will leverage the expertise and resources of the space industry, which currently employs over 60,000 people in France, to develop strategic solutions for defense.
The launch of the Space Pact comes during a period of increasing security concerns for France. Major General Vincent Chusseau, head of the French Space Command, recently highlighted a rise in “hostile or unfriendly” activities in space, particularly from nations such as Russia. He cited satellite jamming, laser targeting, and cyberattacks as significant threats to national security.
In response to these growing concerns, President Emmanuel Macron announced a commitment to bolster France’s defense spending. The president outlined plans for an increase of 3.5 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in the upcoming year, with an additional boost of 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) expected by 2027. This pledge underscores France’s recognition of contemporary security challenges, marking the highest level of defense spending in Europe since the conclusion of World War II.
Through the Space Pact, France aims to not only enhance its own defense capabilities but also to fortify its position in an increasingly competitive and security-focused global landscape.
