Space has increasingly been recognized as a war-fighting domain, prompting calls for doctrinal changes and a faster intervention capability, emphasized space-force leaders from several NATO countries at the Space Defense and Security Summit held on a Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Jürgen Schrödl, head of the space division at the German Ministry of Defence’s strategy and operations department, stated, “The rule-based international order in space is nearly over. We have to accept that space is a tested domain, is a war-fighting domain.” This language marks a significant shift from the more diplomatic assessments of the previous year, where military leaders merely discussed emerging threats to orbital assets without explicitly labelling space as a battlefield.

According to data from summit organizer Novaspace, global governments have increased spending on space defense relative to civil space efforts in the past two years. In 2024, global government spending on space defense and security is projected to reach $73.1 billion, with over a third of this amount classified.

Hermann Ludwig Moeller, director of the European Space Policy Institute, commented on this shift, noting that military domains are now leading, which is a significant change compared to the previous year. Brig. Gen. Christopher Horner, commander of 3 Canadian Space Division**, revealed that there are over  200 anti-satellite weapons** in various orbits around Earth, a staggering number that poses a threat to allied capabilities, such as satellite communications and Earth observation.

Maj. Gen. Vincent Chusseau, recently appointed commander of French Space Command, remarked on the rapid acceleration of hostile actions in space. He highlighted Russia’s diverse capabilities ranging from advanced satellite operations to anti-satellite missiles and cyberattacks.

Maj. Gen. Isaac Manuel Crespo Zaragoza, space commander for the Spanish Air and Space Force, noted that China is significantly intensifying its space activities, with the country emerging as the second-largest spender in space defense and security, investing $9.3 billion in 2024. In comparison, the United States spent $53.1 billion, with Russia and France investing $2.3 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively. Germany ranked eighth, with a budget of $655 million.

Maj. Gen. Michael Traut, commander of the German Space Command, expressed that Germany has finally recognized space as a war-fighting territory. He asserted the need for quicker kill chains, mentioning, “If we talk about kill chains, we talk about seconds and minutes, not about creating an informational background for strategic decisions anymore.”

Traut outlined plans for the German military to establish a military space-defense architecture by year-end, which will facilitate multi-domain operations, starting with a multifunctional, multi-orbit constellation expected to be completed by 2029. He emphasized the necessity for a common space doctrine, outlining operational implications that have become apparent over the last couple of years.

Brig. Gen. Horner acknowledged Canada’s evolving narrative on space warfare but noted hesitance in officially declaring space as a war-fighting domain. However, he noted that discussions on future defense strategies have broadened to include offensive and defensive actions needed to protect crucial infrastructure.

Horner emphasized the importance of maintaining a war-fighting edge and questioned how to quickly replace capabilities in the event of conflict. He criticized reliance on large satellites in geostationary orbit, suggesting a shift toward “tactically responsive capabilities” that could be deployed within 96 hours.

Schrödl highlighted the deterrence role of rapid satellite launch capabilities and noted ongoing interference with German satellites, particularly from Russia, including the intentional dazzling of reconnaissance satellites. Lt. Gen. Bertrand Le Meur from the French Armed Forces illustrated the asymmetry NATO forces face, where offensive capabilities can be less costly. He speculated that more nations would develop space capabilities as access becomes easier.

Finally, Traut stressed the urgent need for operational capabilities designed for space protection, defining them as both defensive and offensive means, affirming, “I can repeat that officially. Defensive and offensive means, shield and sword.”

Rudy Ruitenberg is a Europe correspondent for Defense News. He has a background in reporting on technology, commodity markets, and politics.