Germany plans to invest 35 billion euros ($41 billion) in military space to address escalating threats from Russia and China, including spy satellites, space planes, and offensive lasers, according to the country’s space commander.
Germany will develop an encrypted military constellation of more than 100 satellites, known as SATCOM Stage 4, over the next few years, according to the head of German Space Command, Michael Traut, speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of a space event before the Singapore Airshow. He stated that the network would follow the paradigm of the US Space Development Agency, which deploys low-Earth-orbit satellites for communications and missile tracking.
Rheinmetall is in negotiations with German satellite manufacturer OHB regarding a joint offer for an undisclosed German military satellite project, Reuters reported last week. Traut stated that Germany’s investment in military space infrastructure reflects a more disputed space environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He emphasized the necessity for Berlin and its European partners to strengthen their deterrence posture by investing in secure communications and capabilities to disrupt or disable hostile space systems.
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