Berlin warns of rising Russian and Chinese space warfare capabilities.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has announced a €35 billion package to strengthen Germany’s space security by 2030, pledging more resilient satellite constellations, fortified ground stations and secure launch options. The plan places cybersecurity at its core and includes a new military satellite operations centre within the Bundeswehr’s space command, alongside moves to secure access to orbit via small launch vehicles and European heavy‑lift rockets.
Pistorius framed the initiative as a response to accelerated militarisation in orbit by Russia and China. During his address on 25 September 2025, he noted that 39 Chinese and Russian reconnaissance satellites passed over Berlin. He also said two IntelSat satellites used by the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, are being tracked by two Russian reconnaissance spacecraft, and warned that Chinese systems are conducting highly agile manoeuvres capable of disrupting, blinding, manipulating or even kinetically destroying satellites.
Arguing that satellites are a critical vulnerability for modern societies, Pistorius said deterrence in space will require not only layered defences but also offensive capabilities. The programme aims to harden German space assets against disruption and attack, build redundancy into orbital networks and ensure rapid recovery if systems are compromised.
Industry leaders welcomed the direction but urged greater scale and speed. Peter Leibinger, president of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), said Germany must invest far more to catch up with leading space nations. A BDI study projects the global market for space infrastructure and services will quadruple to €2 trillion by 2040, from about €500 billion today. Germany currently operates just over 80 satellites, compared with more than 10,000 in the United States and over 900 in China. The BDI called for more government contracts, reduced bureaucracy and closer coordination between national and European space agencies.