Ukraine emerges as key player in strengthening Europe's Sky Shield Initiative

Defense Express reported that the proposal made by the European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, aligns with efforts like the U.S. 'Iron Dome' program, drawing comparisons to Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (commonly known as 'Star Wars'), now being advanced by Elon Musk’s space technologies. However, while the European Sky Shield Initiative is already operational and yielding results, creating a space-based defense system is far more complex. Europe’s space capabilities lag significantly behind those of other global players.

As of 2024, the U.S. leads the world in rocket launches, with 156 so far, followed by China (68) and Russia (17). The EU, however, has conducted only three launches, trailing behind India (5) and Japan (7). Notably, the EU has even launched fewer rockets than Iran, which has completed four launches this year. Europe’s space program primarily relies on the Ariane 6 rocket family (which saw one partial success in 2024) and the Vega-C rocket (two launches), with Ukraine contributing as a subcontractor in booster production. The EU’s only operational spaceport is located in French Guiana.

This presents a major challenge for Europe: developing cost-effective and efficient satellite launch capabilities. Without affordable disposable rockets or reusable heavy-lift vehicles, achieving meaningful progress in space operations will be difficult. Moreover, the most viable military space strategy today involves deploying constellations of small satellites operating as a network. To compete, European space manufacturers will need to adapt to large-scale mass production.

While the U.S. can leverage its advanced technological and scientific infrastructure for its space defense initiatives, Europe remains significantly behind in space capabilities. However, with space on the verge of militarization, control over it will become a key strategic asset. The 20th century demonstrated that air superiority often determined victory on the ground, and the 21st century will likely prove that space dominance will dictate both aerial and ground-based conflicts.

As a result, the EU must explore avenues for expanding its presence in space. With a strategic approach, Ukraine could provide cost-effective and scalable solutions to help Europe bridge the gap in space defense.

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is studying the possibility of providing Ukraine with military assistance and transferring the Iron Dome air defense system.