Germany needs to develop a stronger strategic presence in space, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday during a visit to the military’s space headquarters in Üdem, northwest of Düsseldorf.
“We need military control of satellite operations and we need to position ourselves more strongly in space,” Pistorius said. Many German citizens were barely aware of the military’s latest unit, he said.
“We simply have to recognise that space is a strategic dimension and we have to engage with it, and we have to engage with it as quickly as possible,” Pistorius said, referring to data security, satellite security and attacks on communications.
The Army’s Space Unit, established in 2021, is responsible for planning and conducting operations in space. Its tasks include protecting and monitoring satellites, military reconnaissance, and monitoring space debris.
The troops in Uedem were carrying out pioneering tasks, Pistorius said. “They are dealing with an area that most people, and I would have included myself five or 10 years ago, would consider the domain of science fiction films,” he said.
Pistorius spoke behind closed doors to Uedem staff. The minister has been touring military bases in Germany since Wednesday to assess capabilities and operational readiness.
