EU considers new satellite network amid doubts over US defense commitment
Brussels is considering launching a new satellite network to bolster intelligence gathering amid growing concerns about the United States’ commitment to European defense, Financial Times reported on March 15.
The move comes after Washington temporarily halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine, underscoring Europe’s reliance on US capabilities. The proposed satellite system aims to partially offset that dependency.
“Given the shifting geopolitical landscape, the European Commission is exploring ways to expand its satellite capabilities to enhance geospatial intelligence for security,” European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius told FT.
According to the report, the proposed satellite network would be used for monitoring troop movements and coordinating military operations. While discussions are still in the early stages, Kubilius emphasized the need for a European system to complement existing programs used for navigation and Earth observation.
The new network would provide more frequent updates than the EU’s Copernicus program, which tracks climate change and natural disasters but refreshes its imagery only every 24 hours.
Kubilius acknowledged that the project would be costly but suggested that member states could opt for a “temporary commercial approach” to mitigate expenses.
The European Commission envisions the satellite network as a government-run Earth observation service, using advanced technology to ensure high data availability. The system would operate in low Earth orbit, a region requiring dozens of satellites for effective coverage. Kubilius noted that top commercial satellite systems can currently track military targets with updates every 30 minutes.
The push for an independent intelligence network comes after the United States briefly suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
On March 3, President Donald Trump halted US military assistance following a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The CIA later confirmed that intelligence-sharing with Ukraine had been put on hold.
However, following talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian Presidential Office announced on March 11 that Washington would immediately lift the intelligence-sharing freeze and resume security assistance.
On March 12, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed that intelligence-sharing with Ukraine had been fully restored.
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