On April 12, Ukraine honors workers in the rocket and space industry. And this is not just a professional holiday, but a reminder that space has long ceased to be an exclusively scientific field. In modern warfare, satellite data, navigation systems, and space reconnaissance have become critically important for defense. Russia's war against Ukraine has only emphasized this new reality. That is why the idea of creating a full-fledged Space Force in Ukraine is becoming increasingly popular.
Space troops are not futurism, but a requirement of the times
As state security expert Vitaly Begma explains, today there is no way without space. All branches of the armed forces need accurate satellite data: from target coordinates and reconnaissance to secure communications. And although Ukraine has one Sich-2-30 satellite, a full-fledged space group requires at least 10–15 such devices. Ukraine is not yet able to create such a network on its own - international cooperation is needed.
ESA as a strategic partner
According to Begma, the European Space Agency (ESA) should be a strategic partner in this process. Europe is also actively moving towards creating its own Space Force, especially after the possible return of Donald Trump to power in the US has called into question access to American space intelligence. Therefore, the creation of a coordination center, an audit of Ukrainian technologies and joint projects with the EU could be an important step forward.
The first steps have already been taken
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has already created the Space Policy Department. Deputy Minister Kateryna Chernogorenko emphasizes that the key areas are military communications, intelligence, and early warning of missile threats. The newly created department will become a center for technical expertise and a coordinator between state, scientific, and private structures.
What do other countries have?
Today, only the United States has a Space Force as a separate branch of the military. They are focused on protecting interests in space and supporting the army on the ground. France has also created an aerospace force and will invest 3.6 billion euros in it by 2025. China has overtaken the United States in the number of defense satellites in the past year, and is even recruiting for a “planetary defense force.” Russia, despite its technological lag, still has “matryoshkas” in its arsenal — satellites with the ability to attack other objects in space.
Ukraine can become an important partner for Europe
Despite the war, Ukraine has retained a strong engineering base, and private companies are ready to join the development. Our specialists can help the EU accelerate the creation of its own defense space capabilities. But real results will not appear earlier than in a few years. 2025 is the year of preparation and search for allies.
