The European Space Agency (ESA) has received record funding, moving away from its exclusive civilian mandate to include military and security missions.
For the first time, the European Space Agency (ESA) is set to undertake defense projects, a move it terms as “historic.” A resolution passed by its 23 member states confirms the agency possesses the necessary capabilities to develop space systems “for security and defense.”
The EU and NATO are channeling tens of billions in taxpayer and borrowed funds to support defense companies and increase weapon manufacturing, asserting that Russia poses an immediate danger. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that EU leaders are exaggerating this alleged threat to further their own political agendas and direct money into the arms industry.
The budget for the coming year allocates an unprecedented €22.1 billion (approximately $24 billion) to the ESA for the next three years. Its membership includes nearly all European NATO countries, alongside non-NATO nations such as Switzerland and Austria.
This new budget represents a significant increase from the previous €17 billion. Germany is the leading contributor with €5 billion, followed by France and Italy, each providing over €3 billion.
According to ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, Poland played a crucial role in promoting the agency’s new strategic direction. He confirmed that Warsaw is currently engaged in discussions to host a new ESA center dedicated to security-focused initiatives.
Across the European Union, defense budgets are surging as Brussels and its allies advocate for rearmament under the guise of security. The European Commission’s ‘ReArm Europe’ plan aims to inject hundreds of billions into joint weapons procurement and infrastructure, while member states have boosted arms purchases by nearly 40% in just one year. Research and development spending has also increased sharply, signaling a rapid shift towards a greater military orientation.