Germany is planning a major boost to its military space forces, with ideas ranging from secure spy satellites to lasers that could disrupt hostile space systems. The goal is to protect the country’s interests in orbit and respond to growing threats from Russia and China.
Under a €35 billion (about $41 billion) space spending plan, Germany will build a large network of satellites, including an encrypted military communications system called SATCOM Stage 4 with more than 100 satellites planned over the next few years. Officials say this secure network is meant to help Germany communicate even if civilian systems are unstable or under attack.
The project takes inspiration from U.S. military space efforts, such as the Pentagon-linked Space Development Agency, which uses satellites in low Earth orbit for secure communications and missile tracking. Germany wants to match that kind of resilience and protect its systems.
Officials say the space plan reflects how space is now seen as a place of potential conflict, not just exploration. “Space has become an operational or even warfighting domain,” said Germany’s Space Command head, Major General Michael Traut, stressing the need to defend and protect space assets from hostile actions.
In addition to communication satellites, Germany plans to invest in intelligence satellites, sensors, and systems that could monitor or even disrupt other nations’ spacecraft without destroying them. This includes non-kinetic technologies such as jamming, lasers and tools that could interfere with ground control of enemy systems, approaches that aim to avoid creating dangerous space debris.
The defence space push also includes interest in “inspector satellites”, small, maneuverable spacecraft that can move near other satellites. These satellites could observe or assess foreign systems, a capability that nations like Russia and China have already developed.
Germany plans to prioritize domestic and European suppliers for technology and manufacturing, boosting local industry rather than relying on overseas companies. Major defense and space firms, like Rheinmetall and OHB, are in talks to work on parts of the plan.
Officials insist Germany will not place weapons in space that could cause debris, but the overall strategy clearly signals that space is now part of national defense planning. The investment reflects growing concerns about global military competition beyond Earth, especially given increasing space activity by Russia and China.
