Germany to invest €35 billion in space defense by 2030
Germany’s Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius, announced at Germany’s third annual Space Congress, held in Berlin on September 25, 2025, that Germany plans to invest €35 billion in space-related defence initiatives by 2030. The €35 billion investment will reportedly cover hardening systems against disruptions and attacks; improved situational awareness in orbit through radars, telescopes, and the future use of sentinel satellites; redundancies through multiple, interconnected satellite constellations; secure, on-demand space transport capacities; and a dedicated military satellite operations centre within the Bundeswehr Space Command.
Pistorius stated, “By 2030 alone, we plan to invest €35 billion in budget funds for projects. This architecture encompasses a number of measures: We are hardening our systems against disruptions and attacks. This explicitly includes cybersecurity for all space systems. We are improving situational awareness in orbit through radars, telescopes, and the future use of sentinel satellites.”
Pistorius highlighted the Russian cyberattack on the ViaSat satellite network that occurred prior to the Ukraine invasion, which reportedly affected the operational control of approximately 6,000 wind turbines in Germany. He outlined plans for a comprehensive military space security architecture, including resilient systems, enhanced orbital surveillance through radars and telescopes, future “guardian satellites,” and Germany’s own military satellite operations centre within the Bundeswehr’s Space Command.
There was also a notable policy shift, stating that Germany must consider developing offensive space capabilities, departing from the country’s prior policies, which had been explicitly defensive. Pistorius stated, “In addition, we need to create redundancies through multiple, interconnected satellite constellations and also discuss offensive capabilities. We also need to be able to deter in space in order to be able to defend ourselves.”
Finally, Pistorius called for broader cooperation in Europe, stating, “We will only be successful if we work closely together: politics, business, research, and society. If we combine trust, courage, and speed. Let us work together to ensure that Germany and Europe remain strong and secure in space.”
